Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music in its 21 years has taken immense pride in bringing to Bangkok the best in performing arts from all around the world. This year too, for its 21st edition the Festival has a line up of phenomenal acts. Leading the line up from Beijing is China’s National Treasure Li Yugang.
On October 5 &6, singer, actor and director Li Yugang will take you deep into the recesses of Chinese culture with the tale of a legendary beauty: Lady Zhaojun.
In the hands of the multi-award winning, including ‘Outstanding Asian Artist Award’, Li Yugang this is a contemporary interpretation of a classic story. With a following in China and across Asia in the millions, Li Yugang is all set to enchant Bangkok with 70 dancers, singers and actors outing on an unbelievable show. The likes of which Bangkok has never seen before.
This show premiered in Beijing this April, and is being staged outside China for the first time in Bangkok. This International World Premiere is a grand production with elaborate sets and stunning costumes -- the performance connects the enigmatic orient of the past and its traditions to the 21st century, drawing deeply on the traditions of Chinese opera, folk music and drama while energizing it with newer innovations.
This poetic song-dance drama also benefits from the talent of renowned masters like Oscar award winner for Best Arts Design Award and Best Arts Director Ye Jintian; Taiwan’s “dark genius” and nationally-honoured recipient of the ‘Five Best’ Project Award drama director Li Xiaoping; Liu Xingli who is vice president of the China’s Academy of the Performing Arts and professor at the Central Academy of Drama; and young composer Zhang Xiaozhen.
The creative team uses dramatic techniques to interweave chronological narrative with flashbacks, focusing on a surprising plot and characterizations to present a multifaceted, moving story of Wang Zhaojun from the moment she enters the Han Imperial Palace as a concubine to the Emperor, to when she becomes the legendary ‘Mother of the Grassland’.
In the hands of Li Yugang, this story turns into a masterpiece. Li Yugang has performed several times in Australia, Austria, Canada, Republic of Korea, United States and Canada. His other critically-acclaimed stage productions include Flower in the Mirror, Moon in the Water and Portrait of Four Ancient Beauties. He is also famous for his musical concerts and has staged several in China including: Where Flower are Unboundeds, Forever Young, Nichang in the Tang Dynasty, Li Yugang and His Friends, and “Classical Performances for the Past Decade”. The last concert was also staged in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver. Among his other credits are 14 music albums and several literary works.
This production, a commissioned work for the 19th Beijing Arts Festival, is a pioneering attempt at analysing, interpreting, and presenting the historical Wang Zhaojun and her journey. Li Yugang immerses himself in the mountains and rivers along her path, in the regional local traditions and customs as he retells the long journey to the frontier. This is one performance you don't want to miss.
Supporting the Festival are Bangkok Bank (PCL), Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, BMW Thailand, B.Grimm Group, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, Indorama Ventures, Major Cineplex Group, Nation Group, PTT (PCL), PTT Global Chemical PCL, Singha Corporation, Thai Union Group, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Ministry of Culture.
For more information: www.bangkokfestivals.com
Tickets: Thai Ticket Major (www.thaiticketmajor.com; Hotline 02 262 3456 and at the counters.)
Ticket price: Bt 4,500/ 3,500/ 3,000/2,500/1,500