Mixed reviews for reservoir theater
Source: Xinhua |
July 11, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
YANG Guoding watched as water ran onto his fields from a nearby reservoir.
To the 66-year-old farmer, and many others in his village, it was a rare sight after the reservoir had formed part of an open-air theater, where a mythical drama is staged using the water as a backdrop.
"They would hold the water for the performance unless it's necessary to discharge it, like today," Yang said.
The reservoir is next to Dali ancient town, a popular tourist attraction in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Although the local water authorities have arranged a deal between the show's investors and the villagers to pump water from nearby streams free of charge, Yang and many farmers still worry about water shortages during droughts.
The show debuted last week amid controversy over the impact of the open-air theater on the environment.
"Imagining Dali" is directed by Chen Kaige, a Palme d'Or winner in 1993 for his movie "Farewell My Concubine."
The show also features music by renowned Japanese musician Joe Hisaishi.
It's an ancient local love story about a hunter and a princess. Unable to marry each other, the hunter eventually turns into a mountain while the princess transforms into clouds so they can be together.
Local officials hope the show will further boost tourism in Dali.
However, some residents have questioned the necessity of building the stage over the reservoir.
Some said it was improper to construct modern architecture in the ancient town because it destroys the town's style, changes the natural landscape and affects local residents' daily lives.
But the show's organizers say environmental concerns had been fully addressed, and transforming the "obsolete reservoir" into an open-air theater was like "turning waste into wealth."
While some residents remain concerned about the impact of the show on their environment, others see it as an opportunity.
Yang Baoneng, who lives in a nearby village, plans to open a restaurant near the theater.
To the 66-year-old farmer, and many others in his village, it was a rare sight after the reservoir had formed part of an open-air theater, where a mythical drama is staged using the water as a backdrop.
"They would hold the water for the performance unless it's necessary to discharge it, like today," Yang said.
The reservoir is next to Dali ancient town, a popular tourist attraction in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Although the local water authorities have arranged a deal between the show's investors and the villagers to pump water from nearby streams free of charge, Yang and many farmers still worry about water shortages during droughts.
The show debuted last week amid controversy over the impact of the open-air theater on the environment.
"Imagining Dali" is directed by Chen Kaige, a Palme d'Or winner in 1993 for his movie "Farewell My Concubine."
The show also features music by renowned Japanese musician Joe Hisaishi.
It's an ancient local love story about a hunter and a princess. Unable to marry each other, the hunter eventually turns into a mountain while the princess transforms into clouds so they can be together.
Local officials hope the show will further boost tourism in Dali.
However, some residents have questioned the necessity of building the stage over the reservoir.
Some said it was improper to construct modern architecture in the ancient town because it destroys the town's style, changes the natural landscape and affects local residents' daily lives.
But the show's organizers say environmental concerns had been fully addressed, and transforming the "obsolete reservoir" into an open-air theater was like "turning waste into wealth."
While some residents remain concerned about the impact of the show on their environment, others see it as an opportunity.
Yang Baoneng, who lives in a nearby village, plans to open a restaurant near the theater.
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