Yang is Bai, a member of one of China’s many
ethnic minorities, rather than the dominant Han,
and her work often incorporates Bai culture into
modern dance. There is also a longstanding
affinity between Bai and Tibetan culture, which
lead to the Tibetan influence in this new Rite
of Spring. She drew on Buddhist paintings,
tales and ritual dances as she developed the
choreography. “The dances are very distinctive,”
she says, “and the hand signs all have their
own particular definitions.” Tibetan music too
bookends Stravinsky’s tumultuous score.
Yang first made her name as a dancer—
Chinese fans know her as the ‘Peacock
Princess’ in reference to her celebrated
work, Spirit of the Peacock. This was inspired
by the traditional peacock folk dance she knew
when young, and she includes her signature
peacock dance moves into this Rite, tellingly as a
symbol for rebirth.
As in Under Siege (2017 Melbourne International
Arts Festival), the spectacular design is by Tim
Yip, the Oscar-winning designer of Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Akram Khan’s Giselle.
The atmosphere of unease that pervaded Under
Siege, his last collaboration with Yang, came
in part through the 20,000 pairs of scissors
suspended in the air, which slowly descended
during the course of the production. His design