The fad for The Eternal Wave swept across the country quickly upon its premiere in 2018, with all seats occupied and critical acclaim received for each performance. It then scooped many different awards including the 16th “Wenhua Award”, the Chinese government award for culture and arts, the 15th “Five-One Project” Award for Spiritual Civilisation Construction, etc.
The dance drama was once described as “what looks like a blockbuster film” in the Xinmin Evening News. Breaking the barrier between memory and reality, the drama is presented in a new form of art, telling a touching classic story from a contemporary perspective. It is a red-themed work, but there is no slogan in it. The sound of wave - “beep~beep~beep”-can be heard from beginning to end, agitating blood in the audience.
The dance drama is adapted from the experience of LI Bai, one of the “100 Model Heroes who made Outstanding Contributions to the Founding of the PRC”. Based on the true story of Martyr LI Bai, this original work, created on the basis of respecting history, boasts a unique form of expression-dance drama, into which youth, red memory, romantic feelings and spy games are integrated together to nicely present the urban features of old Shanghai on the stage, including Shikumen, alleyways, roads, newspaper offices, cheongsam shops, etc. Through highly concise dance drama narration, graceful image expression, flexible, freehand stage scenery, and suspense peculiar to nerve-inducing spy games, a eulogise-worthy and touching heroic image is thus built for those who died a glorious death for the CPC’s cause of national liberation.
The drama is about two hours long, divided into two parts. The story starts with LI Xia and Lanfen pretending to be a couple and beginning to do the underground work in Shanghai. During 12 years, they walk between life and death every day, transmitting intelligence secretly using radio waves. Who is the enemy and who is the friend in Shanghai, a place full of secret struggle? Sniper’s shots are barely possible to guard against at any time, so that countless comrades give up their life heroically. That’s so mournful, but nothing can be done but to gulp down sobs. Facing silent gunfire and hot pursuit, LI Xia and Lanfeng go through foul and fair together all the way. Soon it will be dawn, but they have to make a choice that is life-threatening. Sending the last telegram calmly, LI Xia chooses to die with smiles! The long river flows in silence, leaving behind nothing eternal but love and faith.
Creative
Managing Producer / Artistic Supervisor: CHEN Feihua
Playwright: LUO Huaizhen
Chief Choreographers: HAN Zhen, ZHOU Liya
Composer: YANG Fan
Set Designer: QIN Liyun
Lighting Designer: REN Dongsheng
Costume Designer: YANG Donglin
Hair Style Designer: JIA Lei
Deputy Choreographer: WU Huan
Video Projection Designer: ZHANG Song
Photographer: WANG Xufeng
Graphic Designer: LIU Xianlin
Supervisors: LIU Kuili, LI Ying, WANG Yan, CHEN Jianian, WANG Qing, SONG Kehui
On a rainy evening in the streets of Shanghai, LI Xia and Lanfen disguise themselves as a couple, starting their 12-year career as lurkers. They walk on a blade every day and send confidential information a thousand miles away every night. They camouflage themselves ring upon ring in order to hide their exhaustion away and see the first light of morning.
On the eve of liberation, the night is gloomier and colder as the dawn is approaching. Beside LI Xia is the invisible enemy pressing on towards him and countless comrades disappearing in the violent storm. The press secretary, press photographer, tailor shopkeeper, young apprentice, rickshaw man, press president, flower girl…who of them are disguisers?
After all trials and tribulations, LI Xia and Lanfen have to make a final decision about their destiny. Calmly, LI Xia sends the last message and smiles while dying a martyr. The dawn is approaching.
LI Xia is a character designed based on LI Bai and other underground workers that have died a martyr. They concealed their real names and measured the bright road ahead with their own lives. They risked their lives to save the country and would never run away from any calamities or enjoy a happy life alone. The long river flows torrentially eastward silent while the radio wave remains forever with the faith.
*Please purchase tickets through authorized channels to avoid counterfeiting. Before completing your purchase, please verify the performance date, time, venue, and seat number carefully. Performance tickets are time-sensitive and limited in availability. Once a transaction has been completed, tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable and cannot be reissued if lost. Please double-check all ticketing details and securely retain your physical ticket or electronic order. If you are unable to attend due to personal reasons, please make your own arrangements regarding the use of your tickets. We appreciate your understanding as any inconvenience caused.
*The cast, programme, or other performance details are subject to change and shall be based on the live performance. In the event of major adjustments - such as changes to the performance date or lead cast - please refer to the official announcements issued by the NCPA and follow the relevant procedures as instructed.
*The NCPA opens 90 minutes before performances, and 60 minutes before art education lectures and similar events. Auditorium entry begins 45 minutes before performances. For all performances and events, the Northern entrance serves as the sole public entrance. Please ensure that ticket scanning and security screening are completed prior to entry, and allow sufficient time to avoid delays.
*Tickets must be retained in their original, intact condition. Admission will be denied for tickets lacking a stub, or bearing any alterations, obscured information, or defacement. Each ticket is valid for a single entry on the date of the performance. For certain performances, presentation of original valid identification documents is required. Admission will be granted only when the ticket information corresponds with the presented identification.
*Recommended admission height: 1.2 meters and above. Special provisions may apply to certain performances or events, as indicated on the corresponding ticketing page.
*All attendees are required to undergo security screening upon entry. Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited within the NCPA premises. Prohibited items include, but not limited to, firearms and replicas, controlled knives, flammable or explosive substances, toxic or hazardous materials, corrosive substances, and radioactive materials. Any prohibited items discovered will be handed over to public security authorities.
*For safety and hygiene reasons, the NCPA does not provide storage services for food, beverages, or similar items. The following items are not permitted inside the NCPA: food and drinks, flags & banners, electronic cigarettes, power banks exceeding 20000mAh, flowers, recording or photography equipment, and oversized luggage.
*Attendees are requested to address appropriately. Admissions will be denied to individuals who are improperly attired or under the influence of alcohol.
*If you are late, please wait quietly in the audience waiting area. Entry will be permitted under the guidance of ushers during appropriate intermissions or between movements, and you are requested to take the nearest available seat with minimal disturbance. For concerts consisting of a single piece - either for the entire performance or a complete half - late arrivals and audience who leave midway will not be admitted.
*All attendees are requested to observe proper performance etiquette. Please keep quiet and remain seated throughout the entire performance. Mobile phones should be turned off or set to silent mode, and calls should not be made in the auditorium. Photography, audio, or video recording of the performance is strictly prohibited without prior permission. The use of flashlights, including phone flashlights, is not allowed.
* After the performance, please exit the auditoriums in an orderly manner. Loitering is discouraged.
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