Joanna MacGregor and Jin Xing in Cross Border in China
Dancers in Cross Border. Credit: Michelle Dong, British Council China
18-19 October 2002, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
24-25 October 2002, Guangdong Xinghai Concert Hall
28-29 October 2002, Chongqing People's Cultural Palace
1-3 November 2002, Bei Bing Ma Si Theatre, Beijing
'Cross Border is one of the "must see" performances of the year. Audiences loved the show and gave long-standing ovations. The performers reappeared at least six times to answer curtain calls.' China Daily
Image: Dancers in
Cross Border. Credit: Michelle Dong, British Council China.
Joanna McGregor. Credit: Joanna MacGregor.
Cross Border is a collaboration between composer and musician Joanna MacGregor and choreographer and dancer Jin Xing which toured to China in 2002 and is now planned to come to the UK. The performance involves a specially devised score by MacGregor, incorporating both ancient and modern music - jazz, classical, world music, electronica and traditional Chinese forms - combined with Jin Xing's spontaneous and dramatic dance forms. Joanna MacGregor, a famous avant-garde pianist, takes in a variety of influences for the work: Peking Opera, Pingju Opera (a northern style of Chinese opera), the Erhu and the Pipa, as well as Chinese poetry. She has been working alongside video artist Kathy Hinde and sound engineer Matthew Fairclough to create a multimedia experience of modern-day China. Jin Xing choreographs a piece composed of elements of city rhythms and the anxiety of urban life, with its pleasures, joys and heartbreak.
Jin Xing Cross Border. Credit: Michelle Dong, British Council China.
This first-time collaboration between Joanna MacGregor and Jin Xing provides a dynamic visual and aural feast. Jin Xing’s dance chronicles daily life in Shanghai, incorporating humour and multimedia projection. British Council Shanghai led on this project, with support from the UK music unit.
Visit British Council China’s arts webpages for a full report.
