Azure After the Rain is a dance drama by Shanghai Dance Theatre that tells the life story of renowned Song Dynasty poet Li Qingzhao. The production follows her literary brilliance, personal struggles, and enduring legacy through movement and stage storytelling. It premiered in 2024 as the opening performance of the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

About the Performance

Azure After the Rain is a dance drama created by Shanghai Dance Theatre, focusing on the life of Song Dynasty poet Li Qingzhao, often described as the foremost talented woman in Chinese literary history and a master of Ci poetry. The production presents her emotional and intellectual world through contemporary stage language and choreography.

The project was created in 2024 to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 940th anniversary of Li Qingzhao’s birth. It is funded by the China National Arts Fund and supported by the Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation and the Shanghai International Dance Center Development Foundation. The work had its world premiere on November 17, 2024 as the opening performance of the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Plot Synopsis

Set during the Northern Song Dynasty, the story begins with the young Li Qingzhao emerging in the capital as a gifted poet with a distinctive literary voice. During the Lantern Festival she meets Zhao Mingcheng, and the two fall in love and marry, sharing a deep interest in literature and antique collections.

Their life changes dramatically after the Jingkang Incident, when war and political upheaval force many people to flee. Zhao Mingcheng later dies, leaving Li Qingzhao to travel south carrying their treasured collection of antiques. During this difficult period she marries Zhang Ruzhou, who deceives her in order to obtain her possessions. She eventually exposes him and successfully seeks a divorce.

Afterward, Li Qingzhao resumes the compilation of the Catalogue of Inscriptions on Metal and Stone, continuing her scholarly work and cultural legacy.

Why Go

This production presents the life of Li Qingzhao through dance drama, focusing on her personal journey and literary legacy. Audiences can experience a stage interpretation of a well-known historical figure and her place in Chinese cultural history.