A scene from the dance drama "Dream in the Peony Pavilion." File photo
Directed and choreographed by Li Xing and Huang Jiayuan, "Dream in the Peony Pavilion," a dazzling new dance theater production, will meet local audiences next month.
Debuting in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province in April, the visually stunning and emotionally stirring show has received critical acclaim and captivated audiences with sold-out performances. It was selected as the closing show for the Hong Kong Arts Festival last month.
Tang Xianzu's celebrated Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) play is reimagined for the contemporary stage with a bold and youthful perspective, blending the expressive language of modern dance and ballet with surreal stage design that incorporates flowing mist and dynamic lighting.
"The Peony Pavilion" (1598) is a love story that transcends time and space, weaving together dreams and supernatural elements. The heroine, Du Liniang, falls asleep in her family garden and dreams vividly of falling in love with a handsome young scholar, Liu Mengmei. Upon waking, haunted by the dream, Du pines for her imaginary lover and dies.
Later, her dream lover stops in the same garden while traveling to take the civil service exam. He discovers a portrait of the heroine and falls in love with it. Her ghost then visits him, and they share a romantic encounter. She convinces him that she is buried in the garden and that if he exhumes her, she can return to life. He unearths her miraculously preserved corpse, and she is restored to life.
Featuring six principal dancers and a 30-member cast from the Suzhou Song and Dance Theater in each performance, this is the latest work by Li, one of the most sought-after new-generation choreographers. A winner of numerous accolades including the Wenhua Award, China's top performing arts prize, Li's previous hits include "A Dream of Red Mansions" (2022).
"Dream in the Peony Pavilion" brings the classic tale to life through daring duets and ensemble dances. Its dramatic mise-en-scène showcases floating, diaphanous costumes, swirling mist, and a striking interplay of light and shadow. The pavilion section of the stage extends into the audience, immersing viewers in a poetic world of timeless romance.
As dancers move gracefully through a dreamlike atmosphere, the poignant story of Du and Liu — whose love transcends dreams, destiny, and even death — is reborn.
While the original Kunqu opera can take up to 22 hours to perform in full, this dance production lasts 155 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
VIP members of Shenzhen Poly Theater can each enjoy up to six tickets with a 10%-15% discount, depending on their membership tier.
Tickets: 180-888 yuan
Time: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19-21
Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (深圳保利剧院)
Metro: Line 2, 11, or 13 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E(Li Dan)
