Dance dramas bridge cultures across Southeast Asia

In autumn 2026, Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre took its two acclaimed dance dramas, "Awakening Lion" and "Odes to Heroes," on a multi-country tour of Southeast Asia. Following the routes once taken by Lingnan people who traveled to Nanyang, the tour covered Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, featuring 15 performances, eight cultural exchange events and 11 exhibitions on Lingnan intangible cultural heritage.

Singapore: A dialogue through dance

On Sept. 12, "Awakening Lion" made its Singapore premiere at the Theatre at Mediacorp, marking the start of the tour. Drawing on Guangdong lion dance and southern-style martial arts, the production tells the story of the people of Sanyuanli who united against foreign aggression.

The performance received a standing ovation. Lin Mingren, a Chinese opera enthusiast, praised the production for blending traditional elements with modern artistic techniques, including contemporary music, diverse dance styles and immersive stage design. He also highlighted the performers' expressive skills in bringing the characters and their emotional journeys to life.

From Sept. 18 to 19, "Odes to Heroes" followed in Singapore. Centered on Chaoshan Yingge dance, the production recounts the journeys of earlier generations of Chaoshan people who traveled to Southeast Asia in search of a livelihood.

Qian Xin, co-artistic director of Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre and chief choreographer of both productions, said that presenting the two works overseas showcases Lingnan's intangible cultural heritage while connecting audiences with the shared cultural memories of the homeland and Nanyang.

Malaysia: Stories of home and heritage

The dance drama "Odes to Heroes" was staged three times from Sept. 25 to 26 at the Grand Theatre of the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre.

Drawing on Lingnan cultural traditions, the production weaves elements such as qiaopi (letters sent home by overseas Chinese, often accompanied by remittances), Chao Opera, Chaozhou woodcarving and embroidery into its narrative. Three qiaopi letters connect overseas Chinese with their families back home, while a pair of Yingge dance mallets symbolizes the passing down of cultural traditions across generations.

The performance resonated strongly with local audiences. Tan Chai Puan, one of the co-founders of Malaysia's 24 Festive Drums, praised the production for combining the strength of Yingge with a tender emotional dimension. Guo Peide, president of the Pertubuhan Penari-penari Pulau Pinang, said the story of "journeying across the seas" reflected the experiences of many overseas Chinese families.

Thailand: Connecting through shared memories

The dance drama "Awakening Lion" made its Thailand debut at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre in Bangkok from Oct. 3 to 4.

"When the gongs and drums sounded, I felt as though I could see the journeys my forebears had made across the seas," said third-generation Thai of Chaoshan descent who attended the performance.

The production also resonated with Thailand's long-standing lion dance tradition among Chinese communities. Many audience members praised the performance for bringing traditional culture to life on the contemporary stage.

"Odes to Heroes" is scheduled to be staged in Bangkok from Oct. 10 to 11.

Bringing intangible heritage to new audiences

The tour demonstrates how traditional Chinese culture can find new expression through contemporary performing arts. By combining lion dance, Yingge, martial arts, traditional music and crafts with modern stage techniques, the two productions present Lingnan heritage in a form accessible to contemporary audiences.

Zhang Yi, general manager of Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre, said the theatre has spent more than six decades interpreting traditional Chinese culture through contemporary artistic forms.

Through the tour, "Awakening Lion" and "Odes to Heroes" have brought Lingnan culture to audiences in Southeast Asia while highlighting the enduring cultural ties between people across borders..