Dance Drama: A Startling Dream
PUBLISHED February 14th, 2014 09:54 am | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Dance Theatre (SHHKDT), in line with its aim of carrying forward and promoting the art of Chinese dance, firmly inherits the traditional Chinese culture on one hand, and yet positively and innovatively creates refreshing dance works on the other. Endeavoring in this direction, upon attaining its professional status in 2013, SHHKDT first collaborates with China’s award-winning contemporary choreographer Xiao Yan Ying to present its maiden core production “A Startling Dream”.
“A Startling Dream” is an adaptation of The Peony Pavilion written by Tang Xianzu, the greatest poet playwright of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). In an utterly refined Chinese dance choreography, the choreographer depicts romantic yearnings and afflictions of love endured by the young in the feudalistic society of China. Its central theme proclaims the significance of an ultimate triumph of ‘love’ over ‘reason’. This daring and avant-garde subject, which is an outcry against the suppressive tradition, makes the endorsement of freedom of love between the two young protagonists a lasting force in the history of Chinese literature.
Through the creative application of the model “a table and two chairs” – a typical performing style of Chinese opera, The Peony Pavilion will be condensed into an hour-long dance-drama. This ancient tale is brought to life with visually stunning scenes, and through the aid of contemporary lighting and visual effects.
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Buy your tickets [here](http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/astart0214)
