乐舞千年
An Eternal Dance: A Journey Through Time and Chu Culture
极目新闻记者 张聪
Written by Zhang Cong, Jimu news reporter
摄影记者 肖颢
Photo by Xiao Hao, Jimu news reporter
通讯员 鄂文旅
Correspondent: Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
翻译/王秀慧 尹珩 卫拉（湖北大学）
Translated by: Wang Xiuhui Yin Heng Lisa M.K (Hubei University)
鼓点浑厚，一声声催促着戈启与他的士兵，当锋利的铜剑划过天穹，骁勇善战的楚地雄风呼之欲出；
The drums resounded powerfully, urging Ge Qi① and his soldiers forward. As the sharp bronze swords cut through the sky, the fierce and courageous spirit of Chu was about to be unleashed.
(① Ge Qi and Xi Yin are two characters in the dance. Ge Qi is a general in He State and Xi Yin is a music performer.)
编钟悠扬，一缕缕点亮了希音与她的同伴，当艳丽的刀扇悄然掩面，翘袖折腰的风姿绰约里暗藏杀机……
The melodious bells resonated, illuminating Xi Yin① and her companions. As the vivid stage dagger fan discreetly covered their faces, this graceful demeanor concealed a deadly intent.
(① Ge Qi and Xi Yin are two characters in the dance. Ge Qi is a general in He State and Xi Yin is a music performer.)
舞台华丽的楚韵让观众穿越回2000多年前的战国时代Magnificent Chu-style stage transports the audience back to the Warring States period 2,000 years ago
12月21日晚，为第五届“湖北艺术节”开幕、并将代表湖北参加第十四届中国艺术节演出的原创舞剧《乐和长歌》在琴台大剧院揭开神秘面纱。如梦似幻的舞台奇景、流光溢彩的华服道具、光影交错的视觉效果，让观众仿佛置身于古老而神秘的楚地神话中。
The original dance drama A Song for Yue and He② premiered at Qintai Grand Theatre in Wuhan on the evening of December 21st, marking the opening of the 5th Hubei Arts Festival. It will also represent Hubei at the 14th China Arts Festival. From its dreamlike stage to its vibrant costumes and props and captivating light-and-shadow effects, the performance immerses the audience into the ancient and mysterious mythology of Chu.
(② Yue and He are two fictional states based on the culture of Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period (770–221 B.C.)
骁勇善战的楚地雄风呼之欲出Courageous spirit of Chu soldiers is vividly portrayed
这是一部向楚文化致敬的原创舞剧。
This is an original dance drama that pays tribute to Chu culture.
演员在后台争分夺秒地抢妆Performers make final preparations backstage
在色彩上，《乐和长歌》大量使用黑、红两色，“红色源于楚人对火的崇拜，更是记载着杀戮与历史兴衰的丹砂；黑色突出了战事的肃杀感，同样也象征了国君的孤傲与权威。”
In terms of color usage, A Song for Yue and He heavily incorporates black and red. “Red originates from Chu people's reverence for fire, and symbolizes killing and rise and fall of history; while black highlights the solemnity of war and also represents the emperor's arrogance and authority.”
造型师为准备上场的演员涂抹油彩Makeup artist applies body paint to the actors pre-show
在道具上，观众能看到1:1复刻于湖北省博物馆的整组编钟，承担着重要叙事角色的它为何残破？又如何复原？而分列舞台两侧的两尊虎座凤架鼓，则更像是故事中阴谋、挣扎与纷乱的见证者……
The stage props are equally telling: a life-size set of bronze chime bells that are a replica of those found in the Hubei Provincial Museum plays a pivotal role in the narrative, raising the questions of why these chimes are damaged, and how they can get restored. Positioned on both ends of the stage are two drums with a Phoenix Rack on a Tiger-shaped Pedestal, which stand as silent witnesses to the conspiracies, struggles, and chaos that unfold within the story.
服装师对演出服装进行微调Costume designer makes costume alterations
当和成梦中的凤鸟飞翔在天际，当巨大的鹿角成为巫傩祭祀的装饰，当头戴覆面旌羽的祭司跳起傩戏为战事祝祷，楚文化的浪漫、神秘、厚重，全都扑面而来。
When the audience watch as Emperor He Cheng's dreamlike phoenix soars across the sky, when giant antlers present as decorations for rituals, and when the ritualist, donned in a mask and feathered headdress, dances and prays for victory in the war, the romance, mystery, and grandeur of Chu culture comes alive.
演出前，演员们早早就来到化妆间准备Performers arrive early at the makeup room for pre-show preparations
“舞剧不仅是美的艺术，更是一种叙事的语言。”接受采访时，《乐和长歌》导演，曾凭借《五星出东方》摘得“文华大奖”的王舸提到，楚文化的元素在《乐和长歌》里并非显而易见，而是隐藏于舞台的符号、细节与情境之中，“如若慢慢品味，观众一定会发现那些浪漫的暗流。”
“Dance dramas are not only an art of beauty, but also an art of storytelling.” In an interview, Wang Ge, the director of A Song for Yue and He and a recipient of the Wenhua Award for his work Five Stars Rise in the East, mentioned that the elements of Chu culture in A Song for Yue and He were not immediately obvious, but hidden within the symbols, details and scenarios on stage. “If audience take their time as they watch, they will surely catch on to the Easter eggs.”