London Free Press Article

EASTERN FLAIR: Young performers steal the show, which features classical Chinese dancing styles

Helen and Panda's Dream featured in the London Free Press Tuesday June 23!

Panda-monium reigns
Tue, June 23, 2009

By KATHY RUMLESKI, FREE PRESS REPORTER

AT THE FRINGE -- Gentle dancers whisper a cooling breeze through the Wolf Performance Hall.
They give one pause to rest and refresh.
Panda's Dream, the London Fringe offering of the local Hong Dance Studio, is delightful for young and old.
The charming piece, written by Helen Hong, owner and instructor of Hong Dance, fuses East and West with a meeting in the middle that will satisfy theatregoers looking for a nice story amidst cultural exploration.
Performed by about 35 young dancers from the London area, Panda's Dream takes us to the gate of China, along the ancient fort of Dun Huang, which houses centuries of Chinese art.

We find a lush, nourished world where butterflies flutter peacefully and graceful animals rule.
The golden costumes of the dancers sparkle with sequins and the glowing sun warms us.
The story takes us to the world of four young pandas and their mother, who are content and happy.
It is only when the consuming humans toss their trash everywhere that we witness the destruction of this paradise.
Darkness descends and fog creates confusion as the humans wreak havoc. They are accompanied by funky music that helps set the scene.
Hong, who was trained at the Beijing Dance Academy, had the music written, scored and orchestrated in China last summer.
The use of the erhu and the bamboo flute lend to the Eastern flair.
The chaos doesn't last long as the pretty pink fairies descend to fill the world with beauty and respect again.
Panda's Dream includes traditional dance, Chinese classical dance movements and Chinese folk dance.
Ballet and modern dance are found in the movements.
The performers are still learning (some look to be as young as four or five) and there is nothing perfect about the show. But it doesn't matter as the tiny dancers capture our hearts.
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IF YOU GO
What: Panda's Dream
Where: Wolf Performance Hall
Next: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Fringe Benefit: Proceeds from the show will be donated to the London Regional Children's Museum.

Link to the London Free Press Video Clip of Panda's Dream

http://video.lfpress.ca/archive/source/london-free-press/london-fringe-09-pandas-dream/27465127001