Locally-produced dance drama kicks off nationwide tour

Hot on the heels of the success of the Shenzhen-produced dance drama “Wing Chun,” another spectacular dance show embarked on its national tour this weekend, captivating local audiences with three nights of breathtaking performances at the Shenzhen Poly Theater.

Inspired by a historical event depicted in the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu Province in Northwest China, “The Reunion of Oasis” is a creation of China’s finest performing artists, with dancer Hu Shenyuan serving as the director and choreographer.

A scene from “The Reunion of Oasis.” Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Poly Theater

Co-produced by the cultural authorities of Guangming District, OCT Culture Development Co., Ltd., and Hu’s studio, the show is scheduled to tour 14 other cities across China, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Shenyang, and Nanning, among others.

Zhang Zhaohui, the deputy general manager of Poly Theater Management Co., the exclusive agent for the tour, said that this original dance production aims to uphold Chinese cultural traditions by appealing to a large number of young spectators.

“Bringing historical figures back to life on the modern stage and showcasing history in real-time is the best way to carry on Chinese traditions,” she said

The drama unravels a lesser-known chapter in history. During the late Tang Dynasty (618-907), Zhang Yichao, a military leader governing the Zhazhou region, which is present-day Dunhuang, mobilizes the local populace to overthrow the Tubo governor, reclaiming Zhazhou and its neighboring territories for the Tang Dynasty.

Audience members avidly await the beginning of the dance drama at Shenzhen Poly Theater on Saturday evening.

After the successful recapture of Zhazhou following over six decades of Tubo rule, messengers were dispatched to inform the Tang emperor of the victory. The arduous journey of the messenger team to the capital Chang’an (today’s Xi’an) began in 851 and lasted nearly three years.

In tribute to the challenging journey of the messengers, Hu and his team dedicated almost three years to create and refine the show, now presented in its second edition. Written by Xu Junrui, with an original score by Lyu Liang, the production stars Hu in the lead role. Gao Guangjian oversees stage set and visual effects design, Gao Jie is the lighting designer, and Li Kun manages costume design. The performances feature the Shenzhen Dance Co., directed by Hu, alongside solo dancers.

This production employs 10 chapters of modern dance to depict the epic voyage of the messengers who traveled a great distance to announce the restoration of Shazhou to the Tang emperor. Bringing various facets of ancient society to life, the dance drama reenacts scenes from the Dunhuang murals, portraying activities such as farmers sowing, farewells, encounters with bandits, and soldiers seeking refuge in a tavern.

As the theater lit up with repeated curtain calls from the cast, mesmerized audience members left with dreamy expressions. “The dancers were exceptional, the stage set was contemporary, and the music, featuring traditional Chinese strings and percussion, perfectly complemented the scenes,” a spectator surnamed Wang commented after the show.

The dance drama made its debut in August at the Guangming Culture and Art Center in Shenzhen and was later staged at the Shanghai International Dance Center during the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival in October.