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The Story of Shawan Tickets

Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou, China
The Story of Shawan
The Story of Shawan
The Story of Shawan
The Story of Shawan
The Story of Shawan
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Available Dates: 7 - 8 Aug, 2026 (2 events)
Important Info
Type: Show
City: Guangzhou, China

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast
Performers
Choose the date to see the peformers
Creators
Dance company: Guangdong Song and Dance Theatre
Director: Han Zhen
Director: Zhou Liya
Overview

The Story of Shawan is a large-scale, original Chinese dance drama set in the ancient city of Shawan (Panyu District, Guangzhou) in the 1930s. Based on true events in the history of Cantonese music, the play tells the story of the renowned He Family Three Virtuosos, outstanding musicians who played a key role in the development of traditional music in Guangdong Province.

The main plot revolves around the creation of the celebrated Cantonese musical work "Dragon Boat Racing" . Through the musicians' lives, the play explores their quest to preserve the national musical tradition despite severe historical upheavals, war, and personal trials.

The production combines traditional Chinese dance, contemporary choreography, expressive dramaturgy, and the music of the Lingnan region. It seamlessly blends romantic history, family saga, and patriotic themes. The first part focuses on the characters' personal relationships, love, and the search for their own path, while the second moves the action to the war years, when music becomes a symbol of hope, national unity, and the people's spiritual strength.

Particular attention is paid to the culture of the Lingnan region, its architecture, folk customs, traditions, and musical heritage. The choreography conveys the character of the people of southern China—a love of freedom, hard work, resilience, and respect for family values. With its large-scale crowd scenes, cinematic set design, and emotional music, the production creates a vivid artistic portrait of the era.

Since its premiere in 2014, the production has received widespread acclaim and is considered one of the most successful contemporary Chinese dance dramas. It is regularly included in lists of the best national dance productions in China and tours domestically and internationally.

Synopsis

The ancient city of Shawan is home to the talented musicians of the He family, who have dedicated their lives to the development of Cantonese music.

Against a backdrop of social change and war, the characters navigate love, separation, family trials, and creative pursuits. Despite all the difficulties, they continue to create music that becomes a symbol of hope and the nation's cultural identity.

The story culminates in the birth of the famous work "Dragon Boat Racing," which embodies the spirit of Lingnan and the desire to preserve national heritage for future generations.

Venue Info

Guangzhou Opera House - Guangzhou
Location   No.1 Zhujiang West Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District

Guangzhou Opera House is a Chinese opera house in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, People's Republic of China. Designed by Zaha Hadid, it opened on the 9th of May in 2010.

In April 2002 an international architectural competition attracted Coop Himmelb(l)au, Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid – each producing detailed designs. In November 2002, Zaha Hadid's "double pebble" was announced the winner and the groundbreaking ceremony was held early in 2005.

The theatre has become the biggest performing centre in southern China and is one of the three biggest theatres in the nation alongside Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts and Shanghai's Shanghai Grand Theatre. May 2010 saw American filmmaker Shahar Stroh direct the premiere production of the opera house: Puccini's opera Turandot which had in previous years been a controversial opera in China.

The structure was designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It is conceived as two rocks washed away by the Pearl River. Its freestanding concrete auditorium set within an exposed granite and glass-clad steel frame took over five years to build, and was praised upon opening by architectural critic Jonathan Glancey in The Guardian, who called it "at once highly theatrical and insistently subtle."

Important Info
Type: Show
City: Guangzhou, China

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

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$ 80
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