Tapestry of longing and love transcends borders

As the stage lights dim, a soft, ethereal melody fills the air, setting the atmosphere for the evening. The audience, nestled in the plush seats of the grand theater, feels an unspoken anticipation. They are about to witness a tale that had transcended centuries, a Chinese dance drama, A Dream of Red Mansions, that encapsulated the intricate tapestry of love and loss.

The dance drama, commissioned by the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts, made its debut at the Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay in Singapore last month, attracting an audience of about 7,000, as it started its first tour outside China.

At the center of the stage, a large silk curtain hung, shimmering like a portal to another world. As it slowly drew back, the scene unfolded: a meticulously crafted presentation of the Jia family, adorned with traditional Chinese architecture, immersing the audience in the grandeur of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Jia Baoyu, the leading character, clad in red, appeared onstage, and the fates of the "12 beauties" began to unravel.

A Dream of Red Mansions, written by Cao Xueqin of the Qing Dynasty, one of the four ancient Chinese literature classics, has been a constant inspiration for artists. It has been adapted into various art forms, such as TV dramas, movies and traditional Chinese operas.

Premiering in 2021, the dance drama, directed and choreographed by Li Xing and Li Chao, has gained wide popularity and has been staged nationwide for more than 250 shows.

"As a pinnacle of Chinese classical literature, A Dream of Red Mansions carries rich historical, cultural and artistic value. We want to present this classic work on the international stage through the form of a dance drama, allowing more people to understand the profound depth of traditional Chinese culture and better promote cultural exchanges between China and Singapore, acting as a cultural bridge," says Liao Yi, general manager of the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts.

"The theater was filled to capacity, and throughout the performance, the audience was deeply captivated by the stunning displays, erupting in enthusiastic applause at times. They seemed to be transported into Cao's text, experiencing the joys and sorrows of the characters alongside them," he adds.

The entire dance drama reflects on the life journeys of the "12 beauties", a term referring to the 12 pretty women portrayed in the novel, including Lin Daiyu, a beautiful and sentimental woman, through the eyes of Jia, a rebellious and pampered young man. When Lin and Jia fall in love with each other, they have to face the fact that the family prefers Xue Baochai, one of Jia's cousins, to be his future wife. Jia and Lin are destined by fate to be apart.

The organizers of the dance drama's shows in Singapore had also arranged an exhibition, Into the Dream: Exploring the Beauty of A Dream of Red Mansions, outside the theater, featuring the plot and cast introductions. Moreover, various costumes and exquisite products related to the drama attracted many attendees, who paused to take photos.

"Every moment of the entire performance is gripping. This is truly a feast for the eyes and ears," exclaimed Low Eng Teong, Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Council, Singapore, who highly praised the show. "The unique interpretation of this drama, combining dance, music, and the design of the stage, lighting, and costumes, vividly showcases the essence of the novel."

According to Liao, there's a significant Chinese community in Singapore, and "many audience members were familiar with the novel and their expectations for this classic were met by the production".

Before the performances, the creative team had meetings with the audience, and one young woman impressed them, Liao says. "She recited an excerpt from the novel and told us that she has read the novel more than 30 times," he recalls.

The shows in Singapore were said to be a vivid representation of the results of cultural exchanges between China and Singapore. With more shows to be staged abroad, Liao says, he believes that it will further strengthen the cultural ties and enhance mutual understanding.

The company is making plans for the dance drama's tour abroad, and next year, it will be staged in Japan, the United States and Europe, he adds.

The idea of creating the dance drama started in 2019 and the company launched its own dancing team for the production. What makes the dance drama successful is the young creative team, who transformed the original text into a great expression on stage, according to Liao.

In the dance drama, Li Xing and Li Chao highlighted the number 12, from the 12 beauties, 12 bouquets of flowers, to 12 high-back chairs and 12 colors. They also created the 12 dance pieces with each having its own titles, which are independent of one another, but can be pieced together.

The dance progressed through various scenes from the characters' lives in the Jia family's mansion, such as the fleeting moments of joy at the garden, the pain of misunderstandings, and the sorrow of impending separation.

The audience was captivated as the 12 young women danced in harmony, their movements flowing together like a river, each expressing their unique stories of love, ambition and sacrifice.

The stage scenery, designed and inspired by the idea of mutualism of blankness and fullness, in traditional Chinese ink paintings, with China-featured classical symbols used in multiple locations, boasts an artful combination of the curtain, folding screen, tables, chairs and lights, making it possible to create a space for imagination.

"We presented contrasts in this dance drama, in terms of time and space, the comparison between women from over 200 years ago and modern women, and the parallels between the 12 beauties and flowers, all helping us transition from literary qualities to theatrical expressions," says Li Xing.

"It was the first time that we brought our own creation to perform overseas, which is important for us as young artists," says Li Chao, who has performed with Li Xing as dancers in Singapore. "In our creative process, we don't want to keep our aesthetics confined; we should be open, vibrant and raw. Besides the exquisite details, we wanted to touch on human experiences and the destinies behind those individuals in the novel."

After shows in Singapore, the dance drama was staged in more Chinese cities, including Shenyang, northeastern Liaoning province, and Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The dance drama is being staged at Beijing's Tianqiao Performing Arts Center until Sunday.