Guangzhou Culture Week: Dance Drama Awakening Lion by Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre

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The story is set in 1840 when the warships of the Western powers blockaded the Pearl River estuary, and the First Opium War broke out. An irregular force made up of Chinese militia and citizens fight against the British in the Sanyuanli village on the outskirts of Canton (now Guangzhou). The story reflects the spiritual awakening, courage to fight and the national spirit of the people in Guangdong during the time. Such a social climate is likened to “a lion awakening”, and this theme runs throughout the programme as the storyline traces the coming of age of ordinary folks driven by patriotism. It is also a rich tapestry displaying with insight humanism, family relationships, friendship, love, and the dilemma between the family and the state in the southern part of Guangdong.

In terms of artistic style, Awakening Lion shows strong characteristics of South China and indigenous features of Old Canton. By integrating innovative elements and multimedia technology, the staging exudes both modern appeal and visual impact. In terms of choreography, the blending of Chinese dance and traditional lion dance is a bold, innovative concept. With "awakening" as its spirit and "lion" as its form, the programme incorporates various southern Guangdong intangible cultural heritage elements such as lion dance, Nanquan (Southern Style Boxing), Wooden Fish Songs, Yingge Dance, and Big Head Buddha, among others, drawing on their forms and shaping their essence to fully realize the "creative transformation and innovative inheritance" of outstanding traditional culture. It won the 11th 'China Dance Lotus Award', recognising the highest achievement for professional dance in the Mainland.