Dance dramas bridge cultures across Southeast Asia

BEIJING, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn:

Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre recently took its two acclaimed dance dramas, "Awakening Lion" and "Odes to Heroes," on a multi-country tour of Southeast Asia. Following the routes once taken by Lingnan people who traveled to Nanyang, the tour covered Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, featuring 15 performances, eight cultural exchange events and 11 exhibitions on Lingnan intangible cultural heritage.

Singapore: A dialogue through dance

On Sept. 12, "Awakening Lion" made its Singapore premiere at the Theatre at Mediacorp, marking the start of the tour. Drawing on Guangdong lion dance and southern-style martial arts, the production tells the story of the people of Sanyuanli who united against foreign aggression.

Lin Mingren, a Chinese opera enthusiast, praised the production for blending traditional elements with modern artistic techniques, including contemporary music, diverse dance styles and immersive stage design. He also highlighted the performers' expressive skills in bringing the characters and their emotional journeys to life.

From Sept. 18 to 19, "Odes to Heroes" followed in Singapore. Centered on Chaoshan Yingge dance, the production recounts the journeys of earlier generations of Chaoshan people who traveled to Southeast Asia in search of a livelihood.

Malaysia: Stories of home and heritage

The dance drama "Odes to Heroes" was staged three times from Sept. 25 to 26 at the Grand Theatre of the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre.

Drawing on Lingnan cultural traditions, the production weaves elements such as qiaopi (letters sent home by overseas Chinese, often accompanied by remittances), Chao Opera, Chaozhou woodcarving and embroidery into its narrative. Three qiaopi letters connect overseas Chinese with their families back home, while a pair of Yingge dance mallets symbolizes the passing down of cultural traditions across generations.

Thailand: Connecting through shared memories

The dance drama "Awakening Lion" made its Thailand debut at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre in Bangkok from Oct. 3 to 4.

"When the gongs and drums sounded, I felt as though I could see the journeys my forebears had made across the seas," said third-generation Thai of Chaoshan descent who attended the performance.

The production also resonated with Thailand's long-standing lion dance tradition among Chinese communities. Many audience members praised the performance for bringing traditional culture to life on the contemporary stage.

"Odes to Heroes" is scheduled to be staged in Bangkok from Oct. 10 to 11.

SOURCE China.org.cn