The National Theatre of China’s highly anticipated musical drama “The Summoning of Dunhuang” made its debut at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, combining advanced technology with captivating storytelling. With a futuristic stage design and a talented cast led by Zhang Yixing, the production reimagines the story of Dunhuang, blending music, dance, and digital technology to bring this world-renowned cultural treasure to a modern audience.
The production tells the story of two intertwined love stories spanning a century. One narrative unfolds in 1935 when Chinese painter Chang Shuhong returns to China from France to protect Dunhuang heritage. The other follows Zhang Ran, an intern at the Dunhuang Digital Research Center in 2035. Both roles are played by Zhang Yixing, whose performance weaves together emotional depth and historical resonance.
Zhang Yixing described the experience, saying: “This musical drama combines the profound history of the past with innovative digital technology to create an …