Game of History: A Dance Drama on the Chu-Han Contention
"Game of History," an original dance drama by the Jiangsu Center for the Performing Arts, premiered at Shanghai Culture Square on October 5.
Set against the backdrop of the Chu-Han Contention (206–202 BC) – a great showdown in Chinese history – the fates of historical figures still stir the emotions of contemporary audiences. It is also a work commissioned by the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival.
The Chu-Han Contention was the civil war that followed the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, fought mainly between Xiang Yu, the hegemon-king of Western Chu, and Liu Bang, the king of Han. Xiang was a gifted but ruthless military leader who had destroyed the main Qin forces and dominated the post-Qin political order, while Liu was a pragmatic and adaptable ruler who knew how to win people's loyalty.
A decisive factor in Liu's victory in the contention was Han Xin, one of the greatest military strategists in Chinese history. Han initially served under Xiang but received little recognition, so he defected to Liu and made Liu's triumph possible.
Director Li Chao, facing such a vast and complex historical subject, found his own way of telling the story by focusing on the warm, complicated human hearts that history books have not fully written.
"Contemporary audiences, myself included, can always draw inspiration for our own lives from these grand narratives and historical figures – for example, how to choose when faced with complicated circumstances," he said.
At the center of the stage is a huge chessboard. Han stands holding the chess pieces, while Xiang and Liu stand at opposite ends. As the plot unfolds, one end of the chessboard rises and the other sinks. The dancers leap and confront one another like chess pieces on the tilted board, creating a stage concept that is both aesthetically striking and symbolic.
The visual tone blends an ink-wash, Chinese-style aesthetic with costume and makeup elements from the Chu-Han period, while the choreography incorporates martial arts and traditional opera movements.
Performance info
Dates: October 5-6, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-880 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Culture Square 上海文化广场
Address: 597 Fuxing Rd M. 复兴中路597号
