'Darwin the Dinosaur' tours China

Lightwire Theater's "Darwin the Dinosaur", created by Ian Carney and Corbin Popp, is staged in Beijing. (Photo by Stephen Charles Nicholson)

US group Lightwire Theater took its child-friendly stage show "Darwin the Dinosaur" to the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Monday, the last day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

Created by American dancers Ian Carney and Corbin Popp, "Darwin the Dinosaur," which is touring China, has the dazzling visuals that children relish, and the appreciation of puppetry and movements that resonates best live.

In 2012, a theater group from New Orleans received a standing ovation for its stage sketch on the hit TV show "America's Got Talent." The 90-second skit was called "Dinosaurs with Light Sabers." But the full story of "Darwin the Dinosaur" started in 2007. Written by Ian Carney, it is a Frankenstein-style fairytale with a heart-warming ending, and in this story the Frankenstein "monster" is a gentle dinosaur.

The Lightwire Theater is famous for its use of electro-luminescent wire — a thin copper wire encased in a layer of phosphor that glows when a current is applied to it. The wires are attached to black full-body costumes. As the dancers manipulate their bodies to make puppets come alive, they also have to control the switch for the wires.

The troupe produced three other full-length stage shows, and is widely acclaimed for its combination of dance and puppetry, as well as its exciting use of technologies.

"It's really a heart-warming story. It's the discovery and evolution of love," an audience member said.

For many in the Chinese audience, the show is an opportunity for their children to see one of the most innovative theatrical companies in the world, and it allows them to spend some quality time with families.

"Darwin the Dinosaur" is part of the ongoing Children's Theater Festival held by the National Center for the Performing Arts.