Shanghai ballet celebrates 30th anniversity

A performance was staged at Shanghai Grand Theater on Tuesday to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Shanghai Ballet.

Opening the show was the classical Chinese ballet "White Haired Girl". Back in 1979, the ballet troupe was founded by the "White Haired Girl" crew. As one of the most significant works in China's theatrical arts, the play inaugurated a new era of Chinese ballet. The play also sculpted quite a lot of ballerinas into renowned artists, including Shi Zhongqin, Mao Huifang, Wang Qifeng, and Xin Lili. These stars from the past were also at the show Tuesday night to pay tribute to the troupe, but this time as audience members. Zhu Fengbo, the singer in the very first version of "White Haired Girl" was also present.

Director Xin Lili said, ""White Haired Girl" was the starting point of Shanghai Ballet. Today it is difficult to create an original piece like that. It reminds us how diligent and creative that first generation of ballet practitioners were."

So far, the Shanghai Ballet has successfully produced remarkable pieces like "In the Mood For Love" and "Thunder Storm". At the 30th birthday party, all the group's current award winning performers made appearances in segments of classic ballets pieces from around the world.