Wang Yabin returns with The Moon Opera, a dance drama that’s been touring the world for a decade and still packs theatres every time it lands. It’s a visually lush, emotionally charged piece led by one of China’s most celebrated dancer-choreographers, backed by an international creative team across France, the UK, and Poland. If you’re into dance that blends classical Chinese imagery with contemporary staging, this one’s a must-see.

Dancer-choreographer Wang Yabin brings The Moon Opera back to the stage, a production that has toured more than 50 cities worldwide with hundreds of performances. Over the past decade, the piece has continued to resonate deeply with audiences, proving the enduring emotional power of its story and imagery.

Synopsis

Xiao Yanqiu is “The Moon Opera”—a figure both earthly and celestial, often likened to the goddess Chang’e, whose presence transcends ordinary understanding. She once rose to fame portraying the lead in Running to the Moon, but at the height of her career, public criticism forced her off the stage and into an obscure teaching post.

At her lowest moment, she meets a simple, honest traffic policeman, slipping into a quiet, uneventful life. Years later, a student named Chunlai appears, reminding her of the brilliance and passion of her younger self. Yanqiu gives everything to nurture this budding talent.

Fate, however, complicates their lives. A swirl of personal longing and desire brings Yanqiu’s long-buried dreams close to reality. She yearns to reclaim her former glory and “fly to the moon” once more, but unexpected events leave her emotionally exhausted.
In the end, on a snowy moonlit night, Xiao Yanqiu ascends toward the mythical Guanghan Palace, side by side with Chang’e.

Critical Acclaim

The production holds an 8.2 rating on Douban and continues to earn widespread praise for its choreography, performance quality, and artistic ambition.

International Creative Team

The Moon Opera brings together leading artists from China, France, the United Kingdom, and Poland:

• Peking Opera Consultant: Pei Yanling
• Visual Designer: Helence Guetary
• Lighting Designer: Willy Cessa
• Composers: Guo Sida and Olga Wojciechowska
• Costume Designer: Kimie Nakano
• Set Designer: Matt Deely
• Playwright: Zhuang Yi
• Styling Designer: Wang Jia

Notable Quotes

• Bi Feiyu describes the Moon Opera figure as “a uniquely captivating soul of the Eastern world,” praising Wang Yabin for fully embodying that essence.
• Director Tian Qinxin highlights the precision and clarity of her choreography.
• Critics such as Zheng Rongjian speak to the work’s deep ties to Chinese cultural imagination, while opera master Pei Yanling expresses unwavering support for Wang Yabin’s artistry.

Director / Choreographer / Lead Performer: Wang Yabin

Wang Yabin is a National First-Class Performer, principal dancer of the Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Troupe, and Artistic Director of Yabin Dance Studio. She has earned top honors in major national dance competitions and has worked extensively as a choreographer, performer, producer, and cultural ambassador.

Her artistic collaborations span continents, including commissions from the English National Ballet, the American Dance Festival, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Suzhou Ballet, and numerous international festivals. She has been praised by global media such as Knack Focus, Financial Times, and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung for her blend of classical Chinese technique and contemporary expression.

Her ongoing project series Yabin and Her Friends has been featured in major cultural exchange programs and performed across Europe, North America, and Asia. She has collaborated with prominent directors, choreographers, and composers worldwide, and continues to contribute to new productions across dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary performance.