Cloud Gate reveals its 'Fall Season Extravagaanza'

Taiwan's critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (雲門舞集), will open its fall season tomorrow with two world premieres at the National Theatre in Taipei. After a week-long run at CKS, the dance troupe will take the show on the road for a nationwide tour.

Founded in 1973, Cloud Gate was the first contemporary dance group to emerge in Taiwan. Since then, it has gained both local and international fame.

Although a modern dance group, Cloud Gate's performances are rich in Asian tradition with dancers trained in martial arts and Chinese opera, as well as ballet and various modern dance styles.

The Fall Season Extravaganza includes two works choreographed by separate directors. Having previewed a portion of the show, the two dances are entirely different, both in their pacing and movement, but equally skillful and entertaining.

The opening piece, On the Heights, runs 30 minutes in length and was choreographed by Wu Kuo-chu (伍國柱). The Taiwan-born dancer is currently the artistic director of the Staatstheater Kassel Dance Company in Germany. He was invited by Lin earlier this year to collaborate on Cloud Gate's fall project.

Wu's production focuses less on a story and more on the themes of loneliness and self-reflection, according to Cathy Hong (洪家琪), a spokesperson at Cloud Gate.

The choreography, which is said to be based on Wu's own experiences with insomnia and endless nights of contemplation, uses music composed by indie-music icon Tom Waits with the sharp, quick pacing in this piece contrasts the soft, more tranquil movements in the second performance.

Cloud Gate founder and artistic director, Lin Hwai-min (林懷民) choreographed On The Road To The Mountain, a 70 minute piece inspired by the novels of Taiwan writer Chen Ying-zhen (陳映真).

The five dances, each based on a different novel, are a tribute to the writer who enthused generations of Taiwanese readers, Hong said. Some of the pieces are more theatrical than others, regarding the costumes and props they use.

The compositions range from the intimate duet of a male and female lover to a tango-like number near the middle of the performance.

While the contrasting choreography must have been grueling for the 23 dancers to rehearse and perform, it is entirely captivating for the audience.

Performance notes:

What: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's Fall Season Extravaganza

Where: CKS Cultural Center, National Theatre (國家戲劇院), 21-1 Zhongshan S Rd, Taipei (台北市中山南路21-1號)

When: Sept. 18 until Sept. 26. Shows begin nightly at 7:45pm except Sundays at 2:45pm

Tickets: Prices range from NT$400 to NT$2,000 and are available at the CKS Box Office or online at www.artsticket.com.tw