
HUA MULAN
Graeme Murphy’s Hua Mulan was based on China’s legendary tale of a young soldier, the soldier’s family and the twists of fate and circumstances that gave birth to a surprising love story. In the legend, Mulan’s family is required to send a son to war. To save her family, the daughter Mulan, disguises herself as a man and enlists, and her success ultimately sees her become one of China’s greatest heroes becoming a triumphant warrior undetected for years.
Graeme Murphy’s production of Hua Mulan tells the story through a hybrid of classical and contemporary dance forms, using narrative skills to illuminate the slender tale with exploration of character and development of heroic plot lines, revealing the heart and humanity of its heroine, Mulan.
Hua Mulan was an historic collaboration between two cultures and two dance companies, Sydney Dance Company and the Shanghai Song & Dance Ensemble.
CHOREOGRAPHY & DIRECTION
Graeme Murphy AO
CREATIVE ASSOCIATE
Janet Vernon AM
MUSIC COMPOSED by
Michael Askill
Qijang Chen
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Michael Askill
MUSIC PERFORMED by
Synergy Percussion
and Chinese Musicians
SCENARIO
Graeme Murphy
Janet Vernon
SET DESIGN
Peter England
COSTUME DESIGN
Song Li
LIGHTING DESIGN
John Rayment
CAST
Sydney Dance Company
and
Shangai Song & Dance Ensemble
VIDEO
FILMED at
Oriental Arts Centre (Shanghai - 2005)
POST-PRODUCER/ EDITOR/ MIXING
Philippe Charluet