Auckland, New Zealand, March 13 (CNA) Renowned dance troupe U Theatre was ready for its first performance in New Zealand as Taiwan's first lady Chow Mei-ching arrived Sunday as the troupe's honorary leader to show her support.
U Theatre is scheduled to deliver four shows, titled "Sound of the Ocean, " as one of the featured groups at the biennial Auckland Arts Festival from March 15-18 during the event's final week.
The troupe was invited to the festival by David Malacari, the event's artistic director, four years ago in Hong Kong, said U Theatre founder and artistic director Liu Ruo-yu, after Malacari saw U Theatre.
"The invitation was actually made four years ago. It (the invitation) was very meaningful for us, " Liu said.
"Sound of the Ocean" was inspired by water and depicts water's cyclical journey from a tiny drop to the crashing waves of the mighty sea with an assortment of temple bells, drums, gongs and cymbals, Liu said.
Around a dozen dancers and technical staff arrived in Auckland on March 10 to prepare for the show, according to Liu.
Chow, who has been devoted to charity work and providing support for sports and arts groups since she became the first lady in 2008, arrived in Auckland at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and visited the troupe at the hotel where Chow will stay with the dancers.
Accompanied by Elliott Y.L. Charng, Taiwan's representative to New Zealand, Chow remembered every dancer by name and embraced them with hugs outside the hotel lobby.
The first lady is scheduled to appear at U Theatre's rehearsal and performances as well as visiting local schools for charity purposes during her stay from March 13-18.
The Auckland Arts Festival 2011, which is taking place from March 2-20, includes dance and music performances as well as visual arts and theater. The four festivals held to date have attracted a combined 880,000 people, according to the organizer.
Founded by Liu in 1988, U Theatre combines contemporary Western theatrical techniques with Zen Buddhist philosophy. It has been known for its disciplined training in various forms, including acting, martial arts, drumming, Tai-Chi, dance and meditation on the mountains on the outskirts of Taipei. (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls