Mulan gets some cool new moves

Dancer and choreographer Huang Doudou prepares to dazzle with his new production of the musical Mulan at Beijing's Poly Theater on April 25 and 26.

The show is based on the Chinese legend of the same name and uses a variety of artistic forms. It combines traditional and modern cultural elements from China and Japan.

Mulan tells the story of a young girl in ancient China, who dresses like a man to join the army so her father doesn't have to.

The story is well-known globally, largely thanks to the namesake Disney cartoon.

The musical focuses on Mulan's psychological development during the year she spends in the army, as she struggles, suffers and finally overcomes challenges.

Mulan combines the elements of traditional Chinese and Japanese culture as well as contemporary dance to shed new light on this classical story.

Huang plays Mulan. Tsubasa Makoto, from the Japanese all-female musical theater troupe Takarazuka Revue, plays the lead male role.

The show is directed and choreographed by Haruka Ueda, who's celebrated in Japanese musical drama and opera circles.

Hideki Togi, known as the Prince of Gagaku (classical Japanese court music), is the music director of Mulan. Togi will play Gagaku music onstage at the Beijing performances.

This musical was first presented at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space in September 2010 and visited Shanghai the following month.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn