Tango in Silk (Xi Liu, China, 5 min)
Xi Liu creates and dances in this small but exquisite piece set to “Por una cabeza” by Carlos Gardel.
Inspired by the nighttime intrigues of Shanghai, and Raymond Yiu’s chamber piece, “Night Shanghai”, Tango in Silk suggests a poetic tension and tenderness within the accompaniment of Chinese instruments and rhythms.
Offering a snapshot of cultural changes and identity, Xi Liu plays an East Asian woman newly arrived in the UK. Uncertain and on unfamiliar ground, the dance eventrally takes on surety and confidence.
With her beautiful and stunning qipao costume, Xi Liu offers grace, dignity, passion and elegance. In keeping with this theme, attendees to live performances were given a small gift of a traditional Chinese fan.
Tango in Silk was presented in both digital and in-person formats at Edinburgh Fringe, and is also part of Camden Fringe.
As this is only a 5 minute piece it is hard to offer a star rating, but I am going for 4*.