Audiences in the UK have been under the spell of one of the most famous dancers in mainland China. Yang Liping continues to combine and re-imagine the diversity of the country’s contemporary and ancient traditions. And, this month she brought her dance drama “Under Siege” to a London stage, and it captivated local audiences with its message of hope for peace.

Directed by renowned Chinese choreographer and dancer Yang Liping, the performance opens with 20,000 pairs of scissors hanging from the ceiling of the stage at the Sadler's Wells Theatre.

Directed by renowned Chinese choreographer and dancer Yang Liping, the performance opens with 20,000 pairs of scissors hanging from the ceiling of the stage at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre. From there, a tragic battle scene plays out through the traditional use of red feathers. The theatrics are meant express to the audience the story of a climactic battle between the Chu and Han armies, an encounter that changed the course of Chinese history.

Based on the classical story Farewell My Concubine, Under Siege is Yang Liping’s first modern work as a choreographer.

“By telling a story from 2,000 years ago, we have actually revealed both the dark and the bright sides of human nature. People tend to hurt each other just to protect their own interests, because there are ceaseless war flames in the world just like those 2,000 years ago,” Yang said.

“People are killing people, making many homeless, reducing them to the status of refugees. War has never stopped. By bringing the dance here, I think, we want to express our worries.”

Directed by renowned Chinese choreographer and dancer Yang Liping, the performance opens with 20,000 pairs of scissors hanging from the ceiling of the stage at the Sadler's Wells Theatre.

Under Siege itself is designed to integrate various kinds of Chinese cultural elements, including kung fu, Peking Opera, traditional Chinese folk music, the Daoist idea of yin and yang, and paper cuttings.

Alistair Spalding is the Art Director of the Sadler’s Wells Theater. He says Under Siege seems to resonate with both Chinese and British audiences.

“It has a contemporary set way, but it also follows the traditions of China by telling this very ancient story. So the combination I think works both in China and for Europe,” he said.

This story has been traditionally told through music, literature and film as the classic Farewell My Concubine, widely known in China.

Performances of Under Siege have been staged in London throughout this past week.