'Mulan' dance tour builds friendship between people of China, US

Chinese legendary folk heroine dance drama Mulan is on tour in the US, following its debut in Boston and Washington D.C, the US starting from September 23, 2023.This is the first time the legend is staged in the US in the form of a dance drama. Photo: VCG

For the very first time, Chinese legendary folk heroine dance drama Mulan is on tour in the US, following its debut in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday. It will later be performed in Washington D.C. 

"This is not only a performance, but also a bridge that connects the people of China and the US and promotes bilateral exchanges," said China's Consul General in New York Huang Ping.

The play, based on the classic narrative of Hua Mulan, portrays the inspiring story of a brave young woman who disguises herself as a man to keep her father from being forced into the war. Mulan begins a 12-year quest to become a proficient and respected fighter in the Chinese army.

A famous Chinese classic that is widely recognized around the world, the character has inspired many screen works in the US, including the 1998 Disney animated film Mulan. 

This dance drama is being jointly presented by Ningbo Performing Arts Group, China National Opera House, and the government of Wuhan's Huangpi district; the latter is where the legend was born.

Before the US tour, the story of Mulan had gained widespread appreciation both domestically and internationally. A recent film production of it was a highlight at Mexico's 50th Cervantes International Festival in October 2022, when it got amazing reviews and admiration from netizens.

Ye Weizhang, one of the inheritors of the Mulan legend who has participated in the dance drama adaptation, told the Global Times that since its premiere at the National Center for the Performing Arts in 2017, the play has been performed nearly a hundred times across the country.

"While retaining the traditional Chinese cultural heritage during its spread to the world, our adaptation adopts the ideas of heroism, bravery, feelings of family and country and peace which are shared by all mankind," Ye said.

"There are differences between the East and the West in shaping the character of Mulan, but still, the drama has given the world a window to explore Chinese culture," Ye added.

In order to make Mulan's story more accurate, Ye also put forward at least five opinions during the creation process.

For example, in terms of stage design, the director followed Ye's advice and replaced Mulan's sword with a Chinese spear that was more in line with the character's background.

After its debut in front of 1,600 viewers in Boston, five other performances will be held in the coming days.

This is not the first time that the two countries have conducted cultural communication through stage dramas.

In July, a China-US Youth Theater Exchange Program was launched with educational activities providing opportunities for students from the US to learn Chinese and increase understanding of Chinese culture, promoting bilateral educational cooperation and strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The program is among the first non-governmental level cultural exchange activities between China and the US to have restarted here in Beijing in the last several years.

During that time, a traditional Chinese mermaid drama performed by 15 kids from the US was staged at the China National Theater for Children in Beijing.

"Being here is a chance for me to absorb the culture and learn the language with an immersive style. We also got the chance to eat all the local food here and visit the historical sites," one of the performers, Amare Swierc, told the Global Times. "It's made China such a special experience for me."