Modern vision revives red classic Railway Guerrillas onstage

A new rendition of the classic Chinese dance drama Railway Guerrillas will premiere at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing from Nov 26 to 30, as part of the 2025 Beijing Dance Academy Performance Season.

This reimagined version brings to life the camaraderie, unity between soldiers and civilians, and unwavering patriotism of the wartime years, drawing audiences into the heroism of ordinary people rising to extraordinary challenges.

Co-produced by the NCPA and the Beijing Dance Academy, the updated Railway Guerrillas vividly depicts the story of a group of railway workers and farmers who, during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), formed a guerrilla force to fight the Japanese invaders. Their courage and sacrifice stand as a testament to the strength and resilience of the Chinese people.

A well-known red classic in China, Railway Guerrillas gained widespread fame through its 1957 film adaptation. First staged as a dance drama in 2010, it became an iconic piece of red art, celebrated for its stirring music, dramatic choreography and deep patriotic sentiment. Now, 15 years later, this new version gathers a stellar team of artists, including playwright Zhao Daming, composer Zhao Lin, director Tian Lu, and visual director Ren Dongsheng, to breathe new life into this heroic saga and craft a fresh interpretation for contemporary audiences.

"While preserving the core elements of the original 2010 version in terms of script and music, we've elevated the narrative structure and musical composition," says Zhang Yao, vice-president of the NCPA. "We focused on enhancing the individual characteristics of the heroic figures. Through choreography, we've drawn deeply from the rich traditions of Shandong province's folk dance, where the story is set, and incorporated modern movement vocabulary and creative transformations. The result is a perfect blend of ethnic heritage and contemporary aesthetics, giving the dance both historical depth and fresh artistic vitality."

The stage design for Railway Guerrillas breaks new ground with minimalist yet symbolic spatial arrangements, complemented by innovative lighting and shadow techniques. Together, these elements create a dramatic atmosphere that immerses the audience in the spirit of revolution while connecting the historical narrative to modern-day sensibilities.

To authentically capture the emotional ties and enduring spirit of Shandong, the creative team conducted field research in the province's revolutionary base areas. Director Tian notes that this experience allowed them to weave the region's cultural essence into the dance language and stage imagery.

"We've drawn inspiration from Shandong's rich folk music and its unique dance movements, transforming them into a modern artistic language," says Tian. "Our goal was to create distinct characters and a unique expressive language that conveys both the physicality of the struggle and the aesthetic depth of the work."

This new version of Railway Guerrillas is a central highlight of the 2025 Beijing Dance Academy Performance Season, a festival that runs for nearly two months, from November through December.

The festival will feature 24 productions and 42 performances, showcasing a diverse array of works. In addition to Railway Guerrillas, the season will present original dance dramas, such as The Spring of Yangjialing, which recently won the 14th Chinese Dance Lotus Award for dance drama, and Zhengyang Gate, a family saga spanning five generations. Student and collaborative performances will also be presented, highlighting the academy's commitment to both artistic innovation and education.