Sino-Dutch Strange Tales adaptation debuts in Wuxi

Dutch dancers perform on stage during the global debut of the modern dance drama Liaozhai Zhuqing, or Crow Man, in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on April 23. [Photo/wxrb.com]

A creative stage adaptation of the classic Chinese novel Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, or Liaozhai Zhiyi, premiered in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on April 23.

Presented by a Chinese-Dutch dance troupe, Crow Man, or Liaozhai Zhuqing, reworks Pu Songling (1640-1715)'s famous collection of tales that use the supernatural and the unexplainable to criticize the corruption and injustice in society.

The sumptuous production tells the love story of Zhu Qing and Yu Ke, two characters transformed from crows into humans, through modern dance accompanied by elegant Kunqu Opera and erhu music and world-class projection techniques.

The protagonists are acted by Chinese dancers Xu Peng and Zhang Yiyin, while their Dutch counterparts play the roles of the crow queens and other crows. Their eloquent body language vividly captures the passion for life, the complexity of love and the pursuit for inner truth expressed through Chinese-style ghost and immortal stories.

Dutch dancers Kathrin Gramelsberger (L) and Maarten Krielen (R) play the role of crow queen and crow in the drama. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

For Crow Man's director and scriptwriter, Xu Cunsong, the premiere in Wuxi is also a homecoming. The writer has been living in the Netherlands for several years, but grew up in Jiangsu province. The opening night offers him a chance to present what he has learned during his overseas study career.