Chinese Actor Deng Chao to Join "Artistry on Ice" Showhttp://english.cri.cn/11354/2014/05/29/195s828932.htm 2014-05-29An annual figure-skating show, "Artistry on Ice" will kick off in Beijing in late July.
Zhao Hongbo, China's star ice skater and also the show's producer, told a press conference recently that some heavyweights would appear on this year's "Artistry on Ice" stage, including Chinese actor-director, Deng Chao.
Since it was first launched in 2010, Deng Chao and his wife, Sun Li, a famous Chinese actress, are sincere fans of the "Artistry on Ice" show. They watched the show in Shanghai almost every year.
Deng Chao never expected he would be part of the production until the figure skater couple - Zhao Hongbo and Shen Xue - played a cameo role in his new film, as Zhao explains.
'The Breakup Guru' is the first movie that Deng Chao has directed. We were invited to make a cameo appearance. At that time, we extended an invitation, saying we were eager to see his figure skating skills in exchange and he promised he would join us."
Another spotlight of this year's show is 31-year-old Evgeni Plushenko, who withdrew from the men's figure skating short program at this year's Sochi Games just days after helping Russia win the team gold.
Zhao Hongbo said that Evgeni Plushenko will show up in the July show despite injuries.
"Plushenko is Russia's hero. He was badly injured and will receive an operation that will repair a screw in his back that snapped. Indeed, we made great effort in persuading him to be part of our July performances."
American figure skater Johnny Weir is a three-time U.S. national champion from 2004 to 2006. Known for his elegant style of skating, topped with flamboyant outfits and costumes, Johnny Weir will play the role of a concubine to a king in the "Artistry on Ice" show.
Here's Zhao Hongbo again.
"Our fans are all familiar with Johnny Weir. This year, he will perform to the classic piece of Chinese work, 'Farewell My Concubine.' I will also be in the performance, playing a warlord."
The 2014 "Artistry on Ice" show will open in Beijing on July 25th, and then move to Shanghai on July 27th. The spectator sport will debut in Guangzhou on August 1st, and the show's final stop will be Taipei on the 3rd of August.
China's star ice skater, Zhao Hongbo (left), and his wife, Shen Xue (right), reveal the roster for the annual figure-skating show, "Artistry on Ice," in Beijing on May 28, 2014. The show will kick off in the capital late July. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]