On the night of November 26^th, 2025, the NCPA and Beijing Dance Academy’s new production of classic national dance drama Railway Guerrilla had its world premiere at the Opera House. Produced to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, this version of dance drama Railway Guerrilla shoulders the historical mission of spreading the spirit of martyrs. As a monumental work of art presented in grand stage scenery, it can summon a spiritual torch from the flames of war to lighten the great journey of national rejuvenation.

This red classic, back on the stage after a 15-year hiatus, has the same creators-in-chief as its 2010 counterpart - Music Director ZHAO Jiping, Playwright ZHAO Daming and Composer ZHAO Lin. Now they’re in a new creative team with invited A-list artists in China Chief Choreographer TIAN Lu and Visual Director REN Dongsheng. From a contemporary aesthetic perspective, they have made this classic into a red legend for a new era by using a contemporary artistic technique, which deep historical echoes resonate with the vivid pulse of the times.

Curtain raised, there came rumbles of a train and sounds of tragically heroic music, bringing alive a legendary story of resisting Japanese aggression that had taken place on the Southern Shandong Railway. In the story, ragged Chinese civilians struggle hard to survive from oppression of the Japanese invaders, with their feelings of hunger and resistance congealing into a silent cry in their twisted bodies. Led by LI Zheng, LIU Hong and WANG Qiang, the Railway Guerrilla, based around the Weishan Lake, often appears along the railway, pitting their wits against the enemy in a series of thrilling counteractions.

In every tense dramatic scene riddled with conflict, the dancers move with ease among Japanese-style buildings as if they were as light as shadows. For a surprise attack that they launch on a trading firm, it occurs in a breathtaking atmosphere, which can be felt in the exquisite choreographic structure, quick musical rhythms and suspenseful stage direction. For another scene, in which they rob a train laden with valuable cargos by strategy, it eulogises these revolutionary heroes’ wisdom and bravery. Using every change in projections and props, the creative team tries to make every dancing step fantastically thrilling.

On the stage, steel and blood came into sight in a freehand narrative style, resonating with the modern choreography rooted in the folk dance of Shandong Province. The comradeship, brotherhood, family affection and romantic love were interwoven on the rails. LIU Hong, portrayed by LYU Kedi, and Sister Fanglin, by LI Chensai, do not confess their love for each other directly. Instead, they support and snuggle up close to each other in a reserved way, with their patriotic spirit outshining their love affair. Xiaopo and Meini’er, a youth and girl, have just got the first taste of love. As childhood sweethearts, their attachment to each other is simply in cruel and striking contrast to the gunshots that tear everything apart when they die in battle later.

On the battlefield, the warriors take up the positions of the fallen and rise to fight one after another amidst gunfire and smoke of gunpowder, falling down one by one. Then with faith, they stand up - at the very moment. On the stage, the outstanding dancers, who are from the NCPA BDA Youth Dance Troupe and Chinese Ethnic & Folk Dance Department of Beijing Dance Academy, danced nimbly in their soulful performance, making visible the ferocity of warfare, the wisdom for struggle and the confidence in victory.

That is not just a tribute to the classic, but a vivid history lesson. Portrayed in multiple lifelike scenes, the heroes have their indomitable spirit, which makes them brave in fighting every bloody battle, turn into a kind of spiritual strength that can deeply touch the heart of every viewer. Ultimately, it will condense into an eternal spiritual bond in our national blood.

The new production Railway Guerrilla will be staged till November 30^th. Guest dancers WANG Shengxi, FENG Jingya and SHI Renqi will head the bill on 27^th and 30^th.