Chinese dance drama stuns British audience

File photo shows Chinese dancers greeting the audience after a performance of Yang Liping's new dance "Under Siege - The Full Story of Farewell My Concubine" in Shenyang city, northeast China's Liaoning province, July 12, 2016. [Photo/IC]

This story, traditionally told through through music, literature and film as the classic "Farewell My Concubine," has been reimagined as a dance performance by Director Yang Liping.

"By telling a story 2,000 years ago, we have actually revealed both the dark and the bright sides of human nature. People tend to hurt each other just for protecting their own interests, because there are ceaseless war flames in the world just line those 2,000 years ago. People are killing people, making many homeless, reducing to the status of refugees. War has never stopped. By bringing the dance here, I think, we want to express our worries."

Alistair Spalding is the Art Director of Sadler's Wells Theater.

He says "Under Siege" seems to resonate with both Chinese and British audiences.

"It has a contemporary set way, but it also follows the traditions of China by telling this very ancient story. So the combination I think works both in China and for Europe."

Performances of "Under Siege" have been staged through this past week.

Academy and BAFTA Award-winning set and costume designer Tim Yip, along with artist-designer Liu Beili are part of the people who helped put the visual magic on stage.

The theater has promoted "Under Siege" as containing a cast of performers who come from styles and traditions as diverse as Peking Opera, hip hop, ballet and contemporary dance, calling it a "unique piece of dance theatre" and "an unforgettable experience."