Chinese dance drama premieres in Singapore

The captivating Chinese dance poetry drama, The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting, made its debut in Singapore on Thursday, with performances running until Sunday.

This production has garnered significant acclaim since its 2021 premiere, boasting over 400 shows staged across China.

Choreographed by Han Zhen and Zhou Liya, the dance drama draws inspiration from A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, a classic artwork housed at the Palace Museum in Beijing. This masterpiece, created by artist Wang Ximeng during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) at the age of 18, is widely revered as a pivotal work in the history of Chinese fine art. The 11-meter-long scroll painting intricately captures the lives of people and the natural scenery of that era, blending realism with imaginative creativity.

Following the performances, leading dancers Meng Qingyang, Zhang Han and Xie Suhao engaged with the audience in Singapore, receiving an enthusiastic response.

Gao Ai, the general manager of China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the dance drama's production company based in Beijing, emphasized that the performances in Singapore were aimed at promoting traditional Chinese culture and fostering cultural exchange.

The shows in Singapore mark the commencement of the dance drama's international tour.