Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty (618–907) is widely regarded by literary critics as one of China’s greatest poets. His early poems celebrate nature and lament the passage of time, but he soon turned to biting portrayals of war — such as “Bingche xing” (“The Ballad of the Army Carts”), about conscription — and to veiled satire, as in “Liren xing” (“The Beautiful Woman”), which exposes the court’s conspicuous luxury. During the turbulent years 755-759, his verse increasingly expressed deep compassion for innocent people caught in the grip of senseless war.
Poster provided by the Pingshan Theater
The poet’s life has inspired numerous works on stage and screen: a dance drama by the Chongqing Song and Dance Ensemble premiered in 2016, followed by a stage drama from Beijing People’s Art Theater in 2019 and a BBC documentary in 2020.
In 2022, director-choreographers Han Zhen and Zhou Liya, together with executive choreographer Li Chao, refined the dance drama; the upgraded version will be presented to local audiences this October.
The production interprets Du Fu’s best-known poems through classical Chinese dance, with original poems projected on the backdrop to help audiences follow the text and mood. The creative team includes playwright Tang Dong, composer Liu Tong, stage director Gao Guangjian, costume designer Yang Donglin, stylist Jia Lei, new-media artists Feng Jiangzhou and Zhang Lin, and lighting designer Tang Ming — each a leading figure in their field.
Breaking from the conventional, narrative-driven dance drama, Du Fu blends multiple artistic forms to fuse poetry and movement, aiming to convey the poet’s literary journey, inner world, and profound reflections on his era. The award-winning production has been performed more than 13,000 times in China and overseas.
Expect to be dazzled by spectacular stage effects and graceful choreography while revisiting the timeless poetry of the great Chinese poet.
Time: 3 p.m., 8 p.m., Oct. 25
Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院)
Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit C2, then walk around 900 meters