A Story about Vulnerablilty and Perserverance
The Chinese character 紅 - Red,
is a combination of Silk and Effort.
It means tender and pure as silk,
It means an effort in maintaining its nature.
It is a thread, that brings two separate things to one another.
To some, Red, is the glimmer of lanterns, is the veil on brides’ head.
To some, Red, is the blood, is a symbol of revolution.
To some, Red, is the glamour, is the fire of anger, that triggers…….
Red is an inter-cultural professional dance work. It aims to inject characteristics of Chinese culture into contemporary dance. Dynamically blending the firm and gentle duality of movement, it explores the significance of the colour through ethnic grace, vigour and delicacy, revealing the fear and passion hidden behind glamorous exterior.
INVASIAN, Fringe Festival
Location: Royal College of Surgeon, Nicolson street, Edinburgh, UK
Performance Date: 17-23Aug, 6.45pm (UK)
Preview: 19 July, 8:00pm (CCDC Dance Centre, Hong Kong)
Rehearsal space is (partially) sponsored by Partnership Programme, CCDC Dance Centre
Reviews:
British Theatre Gudie, Jackie Fletcher
"Coral Lee's scintillating dance fills the second part of the bill exploring in movement all the significations of the colour red. Colours are not universal in meaning. In the West, the colour can mean danger, revolution and evil, in the East it can be soft and tender, firm and gentle. Red is a dynamic blend of Chinese movement, an ethnic grace, and contemporary dance. The costumes are silky and lush, shimmering white and vibrant red, the lighting serves to sharpen contours and give added definition. The music blends with the dance, supports and heightens the moods, the passions and the anxieties. Video projection extends the space. The dance itself is bold and entrancing, lyrical and spiritual, and the four dancers give the impression of a rich and sensual femininity. It would have been shown to better effect in a larger space. The piece deserves to have a full and proper stage in which to soar."
Reviewer: Stanislav Markov, Bulgaria
Captivating dance and music! (19 Aug 2008)
Coral's 'Red' actually involves 4 female contemporary dancers in a beautiful, lusty performance -- the duet in the early stage and the 'long sleeve' piece are particularly impressive; the ending is very exciting too! Movement really becomes an expressive language and involves you in a concise narrative of human struggles to win over ones fears and to open up in a relationship -- thrilling! Keep your eyes wide open -- the small stage is too close to the audience, making it a bit difficult to capture in its entirety; yet you feel the remarkable energy of the dancers! Kimho's music is also exhilarating -- masterfully playing his multi-string Chinese instrument and accompanied by a double-base, he creates rich atmospheric harmonies and crisp melodies. Scottish people should recognise a favourite tune in the last piece! Clearly -- a professional work, and one of the best amongst the 20+ Fringe dance performances I have seen over the last 7 years.
Reviewer: Franck B., France
Congratulation and Thank You. (19 Aug 2008)
I have by chance attended this surprising performance. The first part is music, an interesting and successful mix between a chinese instrument (yangqin) and a counter bass, both played by talented and experienced musicians. The second part, an original and beautiful, fast and physical choreography executed wonderfully by 4 smiling female dancers. I have attended several of the Edingurgh festivals, and I am still amazed how much captivating has been that particular performance. I didn't see the hour pass and I remember it as a wonderful experience (very few left me with that feeling). For any one I recommend it, and for anyone curious about dance and music, it is a must.
Reviewer: A.Chen, UK
Very pleasing! (22 Aug 2008)
I like this show very much because it is an original and touching fusion of contemporary and traditional artistic elements. The singer and the musician were very entertaining with their mixture of Chinese, Mongolian and Italian songs and the dance resembled a theatre play with mini-acts, a media projection, singing and a poem and was constantly keeping me grabbed. And the movements were so cooool!, making me wishing to do them with the girls (only if I could ;-). I only recommend you go and see this for yourself, and am glad that InvAsian picked up such a fresh stuff
