LI Cunxin's iconic autobiography Mao's Last Dancer was first published as a children's picture book, The Peasant Prince.
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Local audiences will now be able to watch a brilliant adaptain of the story on the stage of the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.
Li, a 10-year old peasant boy, is plucked from his village in rural China and sent to a ballet academy in the big city. He leaves everything and everyone he knows, including his beloved parents.
Over years of gruelling training and determination, this boy transforms from an impoverished peasant to a star of the international dance scene.
Li's courage, resilience and unwavering hope for a better life makes The Peasant Prince a story to ignite our own aspirations to be the best person we can be.
The show features two beautiful fables - one told by Li's father; one by his beloved ballet teacher in China, teacher Xiao.
Both fables feature in The Peasant Prince book and explore issues of poverty, hope, perspective, dedication and determination.
"It is not a dance production and the performers are not classically trained dancers but it does contain impressive movement sequences choreographed by Danielle Micich from Force Majeure," DRTCC manager Linda Christof said.
"Except for Jonathan Gomez Goodway (who only plays Li), the three other actors play a variety of characters and are required to make quick costume changes. The actors often enter and exit through a sheer curtain which is also projected on with brilliant imagery and used to create comical silhouettes. It's a truly heart-warming production for the family to enjoy."
The Peasant Prince will be shown on Thursday, May 26, from 6.30 pm and Friday, May 27 at 10 am
Tickets are on sale now and selling fast from drtcc.com.au or the Theatre Box Office on 6801 4378