A realistic drama extolling builders of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), "Dragon Spanning Lingding Sea" was staged at Guangzhou Opera House on July 16.

The Zhuhai Performing Arts Group depicts how workers and technical staff contended with typhoons on the islands they created, suffered on engineering ships, hit one snag after another in placing immersed tunnel tubes, and eventually rejoiced upon completing the subsea passage section.

HZM Bridge workers at sunset [Photo by Wu Changfu / WeChat account: zhuhaifabu]

National First-grade Scriptwriter Wang Jian said the drama demonstrates not just prominent achievements of the builders, but also records their perseverance in overcoming so many adversities and challenges in creating the world wonder.

The panoramic uses a steel-framed structure on a revolving stage as a metaphor for the toughness of the crafters. The effect is supplemented by glasses-free 3D and acousto-optic technologies, said National First-grade Stage Designer Dai Yannian.

The main cast includes National First-grade Lighting Designer Zhou Zhengping, and young actors Han Xiuyi, Xu Jingwei, and Jiang Jiaqi.

An original creation of Zhuhai Performing Arts Group, the performance was the first stop on a provincial tour. The next stop is Shenzhen Poly Theater on Aug 7. In celebration of the first anniversary of the bridge opening, the play debuted at Zhuhai Opera House on Oct 23, 2019 after six months of creation and rehearsals. It was staged twice in Beijing this January.

According to director Li Bonan, the drama had been scheduled for Guangzhou in early 2020. Although the plan was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rehearsals never stopped, with constant refinement of plot, stage design, music, and script.