WUXI
— in China
- Splendor
WUXI
, China
The Show
Creation
The Show
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— Franco Dragone
We found the perfect balance between romantic elegance and groundbreaking technology.
Splendor showcases an ancient Chinese story of love and war using the newest designs in theater technology in a harmony of stunning innovation and classic tradition.
Splendor is a breathtaking, 21st century production of an ancient Chinese story of the beautiful and brave Xi Shi, reimagined as an electrifying and enchanting new show.
The audience will be brought back in time and immersed in the battle of two kingdoms, as the exquisite Xi Shi sacrifices everything for the love and honor of her people.
The age-old story is retold with the newest advances in theater technology, as tradition and innovation merge to create a riveting evening of song, dance, martial arts, and humor, celebrating one of the four great beauties of China and the wonders and of the majestic Taihu Lake.
The distinctive 2000-seat theatre was created by Steven Chilton Architects to fully immerse the audience using massive LED screens.
Walking in, you will immediately notice the distinctive 360-degree viewing of the center stage which tilts during the show.
The exterior barely looks out of place with its bamboo forest design. Each of the exterior supporting columns is meant to evoke a shoot of bamboo leading to a creative roof design that emulates the leafy forest coverage.
Each “leaf” is randomly oriented to mimic nature and contribute to the bamboo forest aesthetic.
8 numbers-based facts about the show, theatre, unique feats the performers perform, or costumes e.g. “25 meters—the height the divers jump from” or “6 meters of scale, outspread wings—The total width of the butterfly costume, ready to fly away.”
Creation
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FOCUS ON
Creation
Who Franco Dragone surrounds himself with for the performance, why he wanted to create the show, and how the show was brought to life through inspiration, design, and/or technological achievement.
In order to pull off the blend of technology and stunning acrobatics Franco Dragone built a team of exceptionally talented international artists from China in addition to experienced lighting technicians, theatre producers, and set designers.
This performance production was focused on immersion through the use of kinetic parts and the huge LED screens that surround the audience. No other Dragone show has this many scenic and prop pieces as well which have all been beautifully crafted by the creative set designers.
“We found the perfect balance between romantic elegance and groundbreaking technology… The ancient story of Xi Shi retold in the 21st century in an unprecedented way. ”
– Franco Dragone
– Franco Dragone
Creators
FRANCO DRAGONE
Founder & Artistic Director of Dragone
Amy Tinkham
Show Director
Christopher Childers
Associate Show Director
Bian wentong
Set Designer
Patrick larsen
Kinetic & Set Designer
Yang donglin 阳东林
Costume Designer
Zeng wei 曾卫
Make Up Designer
Patrick Neys
Video Content Designer
Olivier Legendre
Lighting Designer
Anthony lee
Choreographer
John Brady
Human Performance Designer
Sebastian Hammond
Sound Designer
Michael Brennan
Composer
AnnMarie Milazzo
Assistant Composer & Lyricist
Liang Mang 梁芒
Chinese Lyricit
Cecilia Arnauld Rachner
Casting Director
Phenix (Sheau Fon) Lin
Movement Director
Yabin Wang 王亚彬
Choreographer Consultant
He Jingde (Jaden)
Martial Arts Choreographer & Supervisor
Lassaad Saidi
Theatre Master
Wayne Wilson
Comedy & Character Director
Johanna Sapakie
Assistant Human Performance Designer & Aerial Choreographer
Martin Sak
Head Coach
Andi Pema
Percussion Coach
