As one of the pioneers and founders of Chinese dance drama, Zhao Qing is the best person for the production of such a drama. In fact, before the planning was finished, the drama got many artists' support with the participation of the talented writer Wei Minglun, the famous painter Chen Zui and the composer of TheButterfly Lovers Chen Gang. With these masters participating, Zhao Qing is very confident in the drama, and is working hard and trying her best to make it perfect. She even draws the sets' paintings herself.
The Ambassador of Dance for New China
With her great achievements in dance, Zhao Qing used to be honored as the ambassador of dance for new China. At that time, she and Guo Lanying were regarded as the two pillar actresses of China Song & Dance Theatre and she was invited to more than 20 countries for performance. She never ceased her pursuit of art. Now she finds enjoyment in all kinds of activities related to dance, such as dance planning, editing and commenting.
Zhao Qing is obsessed with Chinese folk dance. Her teacher Dai Ailian once told her, "Learning from the western culture doesn't mean westernization and we must develop our national culture." Zhao Qing has never forgotten this edification. Talking about the future of Chinese dance, she said, "There are 56 minority peoples in China from which we can develop many kinds of dance. And the 5000-year civilization of China provides an abundant culture element. So I'm very confident about Chinese dance."
However, Zhao Qing is disappointed about some of today's popular dances. "Many folk dances are turned into the likes of Egyptian dace, losing their own flavor," she said. "And dance goes with all kinds of programs, which are always the same. Fortunately, there are still some dancers who are looking for the real national things."
My Father Zhao Dan and I - A Heart for Thanksgiving
Last year was the 90th anniversary of Zhao Dan's birth, and CCTV is going to film The Biography of Zhao Dan, which is adapted from Zhao Qing's book My Father Zhao Dan and I.
The book describes Zhao Dan as a father from the perspective of Zhao Qing. However, it was difficult for Zhao Qing to adapt the book into a play, and it took her seven years to finish the adaptation because the play not only tells about Zhao Dan, but also about many other famous people of his time, such as Zhou Enlai, Jin Shan, Wang Weiyi, and Nie Er. "I must write about them," Zhao Qing said, "because only with their help could my father achieve so much. And all of my family will never forget them. Therefore, I want to praise them through the play about my father."
Author: Li Juan
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