For more detail on this fascinating and unexpected performance number, see asianimperialisms.com This is the last performance number in the 1964 Epic Spectacular East is Red. The language is mainly Chinese (titles); the performers all also ethnic Chinese; the meaning of the songs is salutational; the allegory is a dedication to a Chinese emperor (Mao tacked on to the Palace gate) and his dynasty (the Party). From the outside it seems a kind of minstrel show, or transvestite vaudeville topped over with indoctrination, as if the Nations were schoolchildren who were poor at words but very skillful at conveying their allegiance via dance gesture. The program reads more or less as follows: Prelude: Mongol-dressed dancer/singer proposes the above toast in the manner of traditional "tribal" peace-gatherings for banquet or grand assemblage. The toastee is Mao, who watches as if a photograph from the Palace Wall (photographs in fact are something like immortal) Dance 1 Mongolian "masque": lead dancer Modegama: (Mongolian) leads a backward kowtow to Chairman Mao Dance 2 (roll of drums) Uighur muqam performed as corps de ballet version; lead dancer Ayadulla 阿依吐拉عايدة تولا, though Tajik,is dancing in the classic Kazakh Uighur style Her performance ends with offering of a hada (Tibetan/Mongolian ceremonial welcoming handkerchief") to the famous Tibetan ballad-singer... Song/Dance 3 ...Tseten Dolma (才旦卓玛) who first sings another congratulatory birthday "paean" thanking Mao and ...
Tags: dfhfinalev1
No comments:
Post a Comment