The Modified Version of The Crane Calling

A Full-length Ballet in Two Acts

Production by the National Ballet of China

Chief Director, Producer: Feng Ying

Artistic Consultant: Huang Minxuan

Choreographers: Ma Cong (Guest), Zhang Zhenxin

Composer: Shen Yiwen (Guest)

Stage Designer: Gong Xun

Lighting Designer: Liu Zhao (Modified Version), Deng Wen (First Version)

Costume Designer: Li Kun (Guest)

Make-up and Style Designer: Xu Bin

Coordinator: Xu Jie

World Premiere: Tianqiao Theater, Beijing, September 23 – 26, 2015

Special thanks to Dai Zhenping, Yu Ping,

              Xu Yishan, Wang Keju, Li Jiwei, Cai Xili, Bian Xiaoyin

              Qiqihar Municipal Propaganda Department of the CPC

              Qiqihar Culture, Radio, Press and Publication Bureau

              Yancheng Culture, Radio, Press and Publication Bureau

Zhalong National Nature Reserve, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang

Yancheng Wetland Nature Reserve, Jiangsu

Yancheng Performing Arts Group

Cast of The Crane Calling

Mengjuan: Zhang Jian

Zhiyuan: Ma Xiaodong

The Crane Queen (Menghe): Fang Mengying

The Crane King (Yunhe): Sun Ruichen

(Dancers are subject to change)

Synopsis of the Modified Version of The Crane Calling

It is a paean of life that Mengjuan saved the crane but lay down her young life. The endless love between crane and human and the continuous inheritance of insistence on protecting the crane make up a grand picture that human keep a harmonious coexistence with nature.

Yearning for Mengjuan

Another year goes by, and Zhiyuan takes an emotional visit to the place where Mengjuan has given her life, coincidentally with the crane queen (Dream). Suddenly, it seems like Mengjuan appears, watching the crane field that bears her beautiful youth. With deep love for Mengjuan, Zhiyuan looks back on his prom when the bell rings…

Act I

Scene I  Love for the Crane

Going back to the prom in the midsummer, the students are dancing with great joy to release the passion of youth. Mengjuan tells her love for the crane and her ideals to devote herself to protecting them. Facing the birthday cake with blessings, Mengjuan makes beautiful wishes…

Scene II The Crane Calling

In the garden of the campus, Zhiyuan speaks out his love to Mengjuan. However, thinking of her father and raising the crane, Mengjuan is eager to go back home. The crane's calling lingers in the ears, just like the call of destiny. With deep agony, Mengjuan makes a tough decision to follow her dream of youth and separate with Zhiyuan…

Act II

Scene I Fate with the Crane

In the reeds of the crane filed, the cranes are strolling around. Mengjuan recognizes her childhood companion Dream, who is the queen of the cranes now, and takes care of the graceful flocks of cranes, enjoying the happiness of the companion of the cranes...

Scene II Protecting the crane

Mengjuan wraps up the baby cranes' wounds and sees them off. Then she writes her missing for Zhiyuan into the diaries and falls asleep.

Suddenly, a fierce wind and the plaintive scream of the crane awake Mengjuan from her dream. She rushes into the storm to save the crane. When Dream is finally free from the bondage of the swamp, the young girl Mengjuan is swallowed by the rolling mud…

Scene III An Elegy

Following the trace of Mengjuan, Zhiyuan comes to the crane field. He finds that Dream is circling over the place where Mengjuan sacrificed, whispering to the earth and screaming to the heaven. The unfinished mission of Mengjuan is delivered to her lover Zhiyuan and he decides to hold fast to protecting the cranes in this holy ground.

Another migratory season has arrived; Mengjuan and the crane queen, Dream, are integrated into one, hovering in front of the flocks of cranes…