Lianhe Zaobao to stage Opera Warriors in Singapore

The Chinese dance drama will be shown at the Kallang Theatre from 23 to 25 November.

In a release, Lianhe Zaobao, the Chinese flagship newspaper of Singapore Press Holdings, and Scorpio East Productions will jointly present an acclaimed Chinese dance drama, Opera Warriors, at the Kallang Theatre from 23 to 25 November 2012.

Performed by the Huajin Dance Drama Ensemble of Shanxi Vocational Art College, the epic dance drama will be staged in Singapore for the first time.

Opera Warriors tells the story of three talented Chinese opera actors and their struggles and sacrifices to bring the outstanding beauty of Beijing opera to the stage. In the early 20th century in Northern China, three young proteges of the same master joined a theatrical troupe after completing their training. They were met with disparate fates thereafter.

Opera Warriors celebrates the excellence of a traditional Chinese art form. It is an exquisite visual feast that combines an elaborate set, beautiful costumes, dynamic lighting and original music.

The production is choreographed by Mr Xing Shimiao, China's top-notch choreographer and scripted by Ms Li Pik Wah (Lilian Lee), one of Hong Kong's most popular columnists, whose movie screenplay “Farewell My Concubine” won the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993. Mr Sha Xiaolan, the Lighting Designer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, will wow the audience with his lighting mastery.

After enjoying resounding success in Beijing where it was first performed, the production went on to receive critical acclaim when it was staged at the Sydney Opera House in Australia in June this year.

Mr Lim Huan Chiang, Vice President of Cultural Industry Promotion, Chinese Newspapers Division, said: “Lianhe Zaobao has always been actively promoting Chinese culture. Previously, we have presented several major Chinese musical productions such as Jin Sha, A Tale of Shaolin, Journey to the West, Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva and Hello Nasirdin Apandim. The most recent Journey to the West, which was brought back by popular demand, was also well-received by the Singapore audience. Likewise, we hope the audience will be captivated by Opera Warriors, which is a visual treat with its stunning sets, breathtaking dance performances and fine acting skills.”

Opera Warriors is supported by PAssion Card & Poh Tiong Choon Logistics.