CELEBRATED as one of China’s greatest literary figures, Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty (618–907) has long captivated readers with his profound verses on nature, war, and human suffering. Now, the timeless poetry of this “Poet-Sage” is taking center stage in a breathtaking dance drama that has already shattered records and won critical acclaim.

“Du Fu,” the country’s first major dance drama centered on the iconic poet, is the brainchild of acclaimed directors Han Zhen and Zhou Liya. The production has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the Lotus Award for Dance Drama. Its standout segment, “The Beautiful Woman,” has become a viral sensation, amassing over 4 billion views online.

The drama employs an impressionistic approach and a distinctive “block dance” structure to trace Du Fu’s journey — from his ambitious youth to his turbulent years of wandering. A striking dual-character design represents the poet’s inner conflicts, with one dancer portraying Du Fu himself and another embodying his thoughts and emotions. This innovative staging allows audiences to witness the profound struggles behind his famous works.

Blending classical dance forms with modern and contemporary movement vocabularies, the 110-minute performance brings iconic poems such as “The Ballad of the Army Carts” and “Spring View” to vivid physical life. Through each gesture and stance, the dancers evoke both the grandeur of the Tang era’s rise and fall and the poet’s deep devotion to his country and people.

Originally premiered by the Chongqing Song and Dance Ensemble in 2016, the production has since been performed over 13,000 times across China and internationally. An upgraded version, refined in 2022 by Han Zhen, Zhou Liya, and executive choreographer Li Chao, will be presented this May at the Longgang International Arts Center.

Time: 8 p.m., May 15-16

Venue: Opera Hall, Longgang International Arts Center, Longgang District (龙岗国际艺术中心歌剧厅)

Metro: Line 10 to Bei’er Road Station (贝尔路站), Exit D(Tang Li)