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From Tradition to Innovation

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Where there are Chinese people, there is lion dance. A time-honoured Chinese art performed at festivals and major events, lion dance mimics the movements of the auspicious animal and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The Cantonese lion dance, as a prominent branch, is known as the Awakening Lion for its impressive size and detailing and dynamic integration of dance, martial arts and Cantonese music. 
 
Now, residents and visitors to Macau will have the chance to appreciate the long-established art with renewed vigour, thanks to the ingenious arrangement by the Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre and the cutting-edge technology and lighting of the MGM Theater. MGM Awakening Lion, an exclusive and tailor-made version of the award-winning Chinese ethnic dance drama, Awakening Lion, will be showcased at MGM Theater starting in the coming months. This will be the first residency show of the Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre outside of Mainland China. 
 
With deep roots in tradition, Awakening Lion is a masterful combination of multiple art elements including Cantonese lion dance, Southern Fist (Nanquan), dance performance and other traditional folk intangible cultural heritage. The story is set in the turbulent year of 1840 when the First Opium War broke out, centering on the spiritual awakening, courage to fight and national spirit of the people of Guangdong during the political chaos of the time. The awakening lion echoes the coming of age of ordinary people driven by patriotism. 
 
“In this production, we want to convey to the audience that lion dance is not just something you watch during celebrations; we want to highlight the spirit, the humanity and the amazing story behind it,” Shi Qianjin, Artistic and Chief Director of the dance drama and Dean of Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre, tells CLOSER during an exclusive interview. The much-acclaimed play presents a rich tapestry of human insights, political change, family relationships, friendship, love and the dilemma between families and the state.
 
Awakening Lion has been named the best dance drama by the most prominent dance award in China, the China Dance Lotus Awards. Since its premiere in 2018, it has toured over 30 cities with more than 100 shows. 
 
Late last year when the pandemic situation was beginning to ease, Awakening Lion was also the first live performance Catarina Lio, Vice President Brand Marketing of MGM had seen recently, and she was immediately impressed by it.
 
“I was so touched by the fact that lion dance could be an art of so many layers. You couldn’t really tell whether it was traditional Chinese folk dance, or a kung fu show, or a lion dance contest. The fusion was so striking,” Lio recalls. “The lion is also a very important icon of MGM. We hold the world record for the largest dancing lion, and as early as 11 years ago we resolved to have a good combination of foreign lions and Chinese lions in Macau.”
 
After months of detailed discussions and concerted efforts, the 70-minute version tailor-made for the MGM Theater was born. The gripping storyline is retained, while changes have been made to adapt to the unique MGM Theater stage. 
 
“We have made many big visual changes taking into account the features of the MGM Theater. I mean, with the world’s largest permanent indoor LED screen, you have to adjust your visuals, like amplifying the symbols in the drama. We have creatively utilized the high-tech equipment in the theater to enhance our overall presentation and found a balance between the background video and the dance,” director Shi explains. 
 
“We want to give this rich cultural heritage a new and lasting life,” he affirms. “We must preserve and pass on the essence of our culture. But that’s not enough. We also have to be innovative and meet the aesthetic needs of modern audiences.”
 
 
for ticketing details, go to:  
www.mgm.mo/en/cotai/entertainment/mgm-awakening-lion
Ticket Prices: MOP280 | 380 | 450 | 600
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