The incredible success story of Li Cunxin, the Chinese dancer who endured incredible hardship and found his way to America to pursue his dancing dream is coming to the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.
Jenevieve Chang is playing Niang, the dedicated mother of Li Cunxin his seven siblings in the Award-winning theatre company Monkey Baa’s production of The Peasant Prince the story of Mao’s Last Dancer.
The story is a communist tale of a young male ballet dancer who triumphed against physical and political adversity.
Jenevieve said the story is about multiculturalism but thinks there is a more universal message at it’s core.
“The story is inspirational, it’s about crossing cultural boundaries but at it’s core I think it’s a story about working hard and the motivation to pursue dreams,” Jenevieve said.
“But it’s also about not forgetting where you came from and I tie into that because I play Li’s mother and she’s such a primal force in the story.
“Niang raised seven children in China during a time of extreme famine and she instilled in her boys pride and the desire to reach beyond what life has, she represents survival against the odds to me.
“This story is great for a younger audience six to 12 but it’s a great tale for parents too, it discusses identity and fitting in it’s fantastic.”
The Peasant Prince the story of Mao’s Last Dancer comes to BREC August 18, for tickets and show times visit bunburyentertainment.com
Blayde Grzelka
Journalist for the Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Journalist for the Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
