[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

Several theatrical productions with Chinese elements are scheduled to be staged in Shanghai; here are a few you may want to catch.

Dance of Calligraphy in 353 AD

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

Inspired by one of the most celebrated historical pieces of Chinese calligraphy, Lantingji Xu, or Preface to the Collection of Poems Composed by the Orchid Pavilion, the dance drama explores the world of Chinese calligraphy, presenting its aestheticism and romanticism. Lantingji Xu was written by Wang Xizhi (303–361), one of the most celebrated calligraphers in Chinese history.

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

The drama incorporates Wang's life fragments and insights, as well as the humanistic character of scholars during the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420). It merges symphonic music with traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng, pipa, bamboo flute, and guqin.

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

Date: Feb 14-15, 2024

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

The Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

The dance drama tells a story closely related to A Panorama of Mountains and Rivers housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing. The drama is set at a time when the painting was to be exhibited upon Wang Ximeng's finishing strokes.

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

Being fully devoted to studying the painting, a museum researcher steps into Wang's inner world to explore the combination of chance and necessity that led to the emergence of the unique art piece, interpreting the sentimental bond between the national cultural relics of the past and the people of modern times.

[Photo/ Shanghai Culture Square]

Dates: April 17-21, 2024

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

Drama: Journey to the West

[Photo/ Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre]

Based on one of China's most famous novels Journey to the West is produced by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, with the script written by Gu Lei. The director of the production is Roy Szeto from Hong Kong.

[Photo/ Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre]

The drama borrows the plot from the novel, starting from the night before the monk embarks on his journey to acquire scriptures, retracing the experience in one night, discussing good and evil along the way.

[Photo/ Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre]

Date: Feb 24 – March 10, 2024

Venue: Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre

Musical: God of War

[Photo/Theater Young]

The musical revolves around Yang Jian, also known as Erlang Shen, a mythical deity with a third eye on his forehead. It portrays the God of War not only as a noble and powerful warrior but also as a human.

[Photo/Theater Young]

As one of the few divine characters in the vast Eastern mythological system with human lineage, Yang's character is marked by a distinct humanistic aspect that cannot be ignored.

[Photo/Theater Young]

Date: Feb 23 – March 10, 2024

Venue: Theater Young