-Time Out Shanghai

 

The Shanghai Ballet's "The White-haired Girl" is one of China's most popular revolutionary-themed dance works. It was created in 1964 and made its premiere the following year. Now, 53 years later, the Shanghai Ballet has made an new production of the classic, and is bringing it back to the stage.

"The White-haired Girl" tells the story of Xi'er, the daughter of a poor farmer. To pay the debts of her family, she is sold to a landlord. After suffering immensely, she flees deep into the mountains, where she lives for many years without adequate food. Xi'er's hair turns white and she becomes known as the white-haired goddess, before finally being rescued by the Red Army.

"The White-haired Girl" had been depicted many times in operas and films. But it achieved immortality when the Shanghai Ballet told the story. So far, the ballet company has performed the production more than 1,700 times, both at home and abroad.