Debra Li

    SHENZHEN Poly Theater has unveiled its spring season offering 16 programs between February and July, covering drama, dance, musicals, ballet, concerts and a clown show for children.

    On March 22, a folk dance concert “Aolu Guya” will be presented depicting the mysterious Ewenki culture through their folk dances, songs and musical instruments. The name Ewenki means “flourishing poplar forest.” The tribe migrated from the Lena River Valley in Russia 300 years ago and settled in China. Since Ewenki tribes elsewhere had already given up their nomadic lifestyle, the Aolu Guya Ewenki were referred to as “China’s last hunting tribe.” Their dances, mimicking the reindeer and crane, are derived from ancient ceremonies of animal worship.

    The British TNT Theater will bring a Shakespeare comedy “Much Ado about Nothing” to the local stage on April 16. Sparkling with wit and hilarious scenes, the show taps themes of honesty and mutual respect in the relationship between man and woman.

    On April 7 and 8, Queensland Ballet will stage a show adapted from Anderson’s beloved “Little Mermaid.” With 23 young, athletic and technically accomplished dancers, Queensland Ballet is one of three full-time professional ballet companies in Australia.

    Under the direction of French-born Francois Klaus since 1998, the company presents approximately 100 performances each year. Its repertoire ranges from popular classics and full-length ballets to new works in a variety of dance styles by contemporary choreographers. “The Little Mermaid,” their representative piece, is designed especially to appeal to children and families. The company has combined into the show scores from Western music history.

    Toward the end of April there will be a Korean music comedy “Jump.” From the producer of “Break Out” comes this non-verbal and nonstop action performance telling the story of how a family of Korean martial arts experts defends itself against two robbers. It displays martial arts and hip-hop, combined with slapstick comedy and infectious tunes.

    The audience may experience a kind of crossover between Jackie Chan and “The Matrix.” The show blends Asian martial arts including taekwondo with acrobatics and a healthy dose of humor into an action-packed, family-friendly production.

    On May 19 and 20, a dance play named “Dreams of Dunhuang” tells the love story between a young painter and a woman patriot. The splendid stage set shows people the murals from Dunhuang, a major stop on the ancient Silk Road.

    Most welcome among children will be a clowns’ carnival on June 9 and 10, where clowns from Sweden, Poland, Russia and other countries present a hilarious show.

    There are classical Chinese drama “Four Generations Under One Roof,” and concerts by Taiwan pop singers Qi Qin and Huang An.