-- 'Wild Zebra'

The Shanghai Oriental Youth Dance Troupe staged an innovative dance spectacle described as one of the most rare and outstanding dance works in recent years, Wild Zebra.

Performed by the Shanghai Oriental Youth Dance Troupe, the 80-strong cast brought to the stage a grand dance drama set in the animal kingdom that weaves a tragic love story between two zebras as they try to escape their destiny.

The dance drama is essentially a love story which employs vivid animal characters and a unique choreography. It is often described as the Romeo & Juliet of the animal world -- equally beautiful yet equally tragic. Audiences are introduced to a mother bear with a selfish desire for a new coat made of wild zebra skin. (It is said such a coat will enable her to live a long, painless life.) But when she finally succeeds in capturing a wild zebra, a virtuous female zebra sets the wild zebra free and the two fall in love.`

Created in 1997, Wild Zebra is an innovative dance spectacle that integrates classical and modern ballet with modern folk dance. The production team consists of top talents from Chinese dance and is directed and written by the internationally renowned Zhang Jigang. The show's composer is Zhang Qianyi, who is best known for writing the popular Chinese song Tibetan Plateau. The dance is choreographed by Zhang Jiwen, with costumes and lighting by Song Li and Song Xiaolan.

Sun Yupeng and Yang Xinhua, both with high reputations in China and overseas, star as the leading male role. The leading female is Wan Jingjing.

Since its debut in Shanghai, Wild Zebra was staged more than 150 times.

-- 'Farewell, My Concubine'

The dance drama, Farewell, My Concubine, which tells the popular love story of Xiang Yu and his concubine Yu Ji, is performed by the Shanghai Orient Youth Dance Troupe. Although the ancient tale has been adapted by many art forms, including the Peking Opera, the plot is presented in a new and special way through dance. The dance numbers that relay the heart-wrenching story attracts audiences with its own, unique flavor.

Farewell, My Concubine, which matched the success of Wild Zebra in terms of investment and production, was created after thorough consideration of the theme and extensive market research. The troupe did not focus their attention solely on Shanghai; it endeavored to scope out some of the most celebrated masters from around the country to make the dance drama a reality. The core creative lineup includes the famous composer Zhang Qianyi, who also composed the score for Wild Zebra, and the famous director Zhao Ming, who won the gold prize for national drama directors.

The distinct Chinese flavor and the imposing sense of history were pronounced even when the drama was only in its infancy. History and love are the major themes of the drama, where clusters of stories familiar to Chinese people are linked to form the various acts. The story about the frustrated hero, Xiang Yu, and his sentimental concubine, Yu Ji, has been interpreted in a completely new, modern light. Xiang's simplicity, together with Yu's persistence, offer a range of human ideals. Chief Art Inspector Chen Fenhua believes that while the story's rich source and passion have been repeatedly explored by many previous art forms, dance drama cast off the yoke of dialogue and letters, expressing and depicting the story in its own, unparalleled, special way. In fact, dance enriches the immortal love story with new inspirations. The drama has been performed on several occasions, always winning high acclaim.