Revolutionary drama dances back to Urumqi

Following its summer tour in 2023, the hit dance drama The Eternal Wave returned to Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, with the Shanghai Dance Theatre presenting four performances from Jan 30 to Feb 1.

Based on a true story from the 1940s, the espionage-themed production features underground Communist Party of China telegraph operators Li Xia and his wife He Lanfen. Li was killed shortly before Shanghai's liberation in 1949.

Since its premiere in April 2019, the drama has been staged more than 840 times and earned nationwide acclaim. Between May 2025 and February, it toured 26 cities across China, attracting around 143,000 attendees.

Fang Wen, who plays Li and performed in Xinjiang for the second time, says he was moved by the warmth of the local audience. "On stage, I felt a strong connection with them and their passion for the faith and revolutionary spirit portrayed," he says.

"We hope the performance helps audiences better understand that our lives today are built upon the dedication and sacrifice of countless heroes like these in the story."

Theater volunteer Zhang Xiyuan shares that after watching it live, she now understands why it is considered a phenomenal work, not only for its exquisite choreography and visual beauty, but also for the profound, resilient strength that touches the heart.

An audience member, surnamed Luo, says that while he grew up familiar with Li's story through the eponymous 1958 film, experiencing it through dance offered a fresh perspective. "The drama conveys an emotional depth beyond words. The silent sacrifice and unwavering faith flow through the performers' every movement and gaze, which deeply moved my whole family."

The winter tour in Urumqi was organized by the publicity departments of the CPC Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Committee and the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, together with the Xinjiang regional department of culture and tourism. It is part of a performance series launched in 2024, featuring quality stage works from provinces and municipalities partnered with Xinjiang in paired-assistance programs.

Wang Yan, head of the Shanghai Dance Theatre, says that the tour aimed at delivering high-quality performances and also strengthening artistic exchange between Shanghai and Xinjiang.

In recent years, the troupe has engaged in various collaborative projects, such as a visit to Bachu and Yecheng counties in Kashgar prefecture in October, where performers from Shanghai staged 17 events in schools, military units, hospitals, and communities over 11 days — alongside livestream shows — to promote classical Chinese poetry through vocal compositions and dances.

Since 2023, the Shanghai Dance Theatre has collaborated with the Kashgar Prefecture Song and Dance Troupe to create a Silk Road-themed dance piece that blends Shanghai's artistic style with Kashgar's ethnic traditions, which premiered last year. The two troupes have also conducted training and exchange programs in both regions, covering areas such as troupe management, creative production, and skill development.

Mehriban Dolkun, head of the Kashgar Prefecture Song and Dance Troupe, acknowledges the valuable experiences shared by the provinces and municipalities involved in paired assistance to Xinjiang — such as Shanghai, Shandong, and Guangdong provinces — which have infused strong impetus into Kashgar's artistic groups.

She highlights that cooperation with the Shanghai Dance Theatre has enhanced dance training and led to the co-creation of original works, which have deepened Kashgar performers' appreciation for and confidence in Chinese culture.

"Cross-regional exchanges between professional art troupes have largely enhanced interaction, integration, and influence between the local cultures of Shanghai and Kashgar," she adds.

Wang notes that through sustained collaboration with Kashgar's art institutions, they are building a long-term mechanism that channels Shanghai's resources toward Kashgar's local needs — including regular training, joint talent development, co-creation, and shared performances. She expresses hope to expand such cultural collaborations throughout Xinjiang.