Yang Liping’s The Peacock Performance on North Bund

Renowned dancer and choreographer Yang Liping has graced the AIA Grand Theater on the North Bund with her mesmerizing performance of “The Peacock.” This dance drama beautifully illustrates the circle of life and nature through enchanting peacock tales, captivating audiences with its beauty and grace.

At 66 years old, Yang, often referred to as the “Peacock Princess of China,” gained fame for her award-winning performance in the 1986 dance “Spirit of the Peacock.” This work was inspired by the delicate arm and finger movements of the Dai peacock dance, a traditional art form of the Dai ethnic community in Yang’s native Yunnan Province in southwest China. To Yang, peacocks symbolize beauty, reflecting people’s deep yearning and pursuit of all things beautiful.

“The Peacock” made its debut in 2012, and this latest 2022 version has been revamped to feature a plethora of young dancers, most of whom were born after 2000. Yang expressed joy in collaborating with the younger generation, guiding them to grasp the essence of the life cycle using her own expertise and wisdom.

Within the performance, dancers Qiao Yueyu, Wang Silong, and Ma Yuanhan take on the lead roles of the female peacock, male peacock, and the crow, respectively. Yang shared that her favorite portrayals in the dance are “Time” and “God.” “Time represents objectivity, offering fairness to all, while God embodies subjectivity and provides inner strength to people,” she explained.

For those looking to witness this extraordinary production firsthand, mark your calendars for November 23 at either 2:30pm or 7:30pm, or November 24 at 2:30pm. Ticket prices range from 180 to 1080 yuan, with the event taking place at the AIA Grand Theater located on 889 Dongdaming Road in the North Bund.

Experience the magic of “The Peacock” as Yang Liping and her talented dancers transport you on a journey through the wonders of life and nature. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness a stunning performance that celebrates the magnificence of the peacock and the beauty it symbolizes.