A 70-minute dance piece commissioned by the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) titled “The Formidable Year” is set to be performed on Friday and Saturday at 7:45 p.m. at CCM’s Small Auditorium.
The performance is by MW Dance Theatre, which consists of the show’s dancer, choreographer and director Tracy Wong Choi Si and choreographer and director Mao Wei, and is the second piece of the CCM’s commissioned series (2021-2022).
While Tracy is from Macau, Mao is from the mainland.
The piece will, according to a statement provided by CCM, be a collaboration between dancers and artists from Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, and Hunan.
The title is derived from the artists’ reflections at the age of 30 regarding their future lives. The statement noted that in the two artists’ careers, both face a dilemma where they are expected to achieve something but at times end up without recognition. The statement added both have started to worry about their future, considering things such as the need to start a family or purchasing a property
During a meet-the-press yesterday at CCM’s backstage lounge in Nape, Mao told The Macau Post Daily that during the COVID-19 pandemic, both started to think about what they will face after the age of 30, as well as re-thinking things that they have, their abilities, and their strengths and weaknesses, among others. Moreover, Mao noted the show’s title represents being in one’s prime, yet also being vulnerable owing to the responsibilities that has started to come at that age.
Wong also remarked that that point is also fragile, with the title also coming from the fragility and the feeling of being unstable at that age, adding their own experiences over the last few years.
Mao added that these could be shared thoughts among people within that age group as well as those nearing it, citing examples such as promotion in the workplace, marriage and the ageing of parents, as part of the stress that suddenly falls at the age of 30.
Wong said that a key thought behind the show is: “Life must go on”. She noted that regardless of the problems that those in this age group might be experiencing, one must push through. “You can cry, you can be angry, you can do everything, but just think about [how] life must go on, Mao emphasised.
The Formidable Year’s dancer, choreographer and director Tracy Wong Choi Si (left) and choreographer and director Mao Wei (right) pose outside of CCM’s backstage lounge after yesterday’s meet-the-press event. Photo: Rui Pastorin
