Legendary dance drama celebrates 1,000 performances

Five years after its debut, Chinese dance drama Poetic Dance: The Journey of A Legendary Landscape Painting is preparing to celebrate its 1,000th performance at one of Beijing's most recognizable landmarks — the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube.

The production will be staged on Oct 6-7 and 10-11 at the National Aquatics Center, marking a milestone for the acclaimed production by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group.

Inspired by A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, a masterpiece by Song Dynasty (960-1279) artist Wang Ximeng, the dance drama brings the renowned landscape painting to life through contemporary choreography. The painting, now housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing, is widely acknowledged to be one of the most important works in the history of Chinese fine art.

Choreographed by Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, the dance drama premiered at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing in August 2021. It has toured nationwide, as well Singapore, Russia and Turkiye.

Its journey from a theater production to a widely recognized cultural phenomenon reflects the growing reach of Chinese traditional culture through contemporary performing arts.

For the 1,000th performance, the China Oriental Performing Arts Group will join forces with the China National Opera House to present a new symphonic version of the production. Dancers and musicians will share the stage, combining choreography with orchestral music to offer audiences both a visual and aural interpretation of the painting.

The National Aquatics Center will provide an unusual setting for the production. Its modern architecture and Olympic history will meet the ancient landscape depicted in the classic painting, bringing traditional Chinese aesthetics into a contemporary landmark.

Jing Xiaoyong, chairman of China Oriental Performing Arts Group, described the 1,000th performance as a new beginning. The production's five-year journey, he said, represents an ongoing exploration of how traditional Chinese culture can find new life in contemporary art.

The milestone also reflects the production's evolution beyond the stage. It has been adapted for the screen and taken overseas, while its distinctive green-and-blue aesthetic has become increasingly familiar to audiences beyond traditional theater.

On Sept 8, China Oriental Performing Arts Group launched its 2026 autumn performance season in Beijing, unveiling nearly 100 performances in China and overseas, featuring both new productions and established works.

The season will bring several new productions to audiences nationwide. New works, including the dance drama The Great Wall, and the musical By the River, are scheduled to premiere later this year.

The autumn season will also expand the group's initiative to take a series of performances beyond six theaters in six cities and into communities, parks, historical towns and workplaces. Designed around smaller-scale productions and affordable tickets, the program aims to bring professional performing arts closer to audiences.