Oriental Legend (Five Stars Rising in the East)
— Weaving the Light of Civilization Through a Millennium-Old Brocade Armguard
As the Christmas holiday season approaches, audiences in Canada are set to experience a breathtaking celebration of Eastern culture. The large-scale, phenomenon-level Chinese dance drama Oriental Legend (also named Five Stars Rising in the East) has made its Canadian premiere at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on December 12–13, 2025, followed by traveling to Ottawa for four performances from December 18–20 at the Canadian Museum of History, opening a dialogue between civilizations that spans thousands of years.
Created by Beijing Performing Arts Group and presented by Beijing Opera and Dance Theatre, Oriental Legenddraws its inspiration from a Han-dynasty brocade armguard unearthed in Hotan, Xinjiang, along the ancient Silk Road, bearing the inscription “Five Stars Rise in the East, Bringing Prosperity to China.” Transforming the historical memory embedded in this priceless artifact into a grand and emotionally rich stage epic, the production unfolds a vivid panorama of cultural exchange where past and present converge.
Created by Beijing Performing Arts Group and presented by Beijing Opera and Dance Theatre, Oriental Legenddraws its inspiration from a Han-dynasty brocade armguard unearthed in Hotan, Xinjiang, along the ancient Silk Road, bearing the inscription “Five Stars Rise in the East, Bringing Prosperity to China.” Transforming the historical memory embedded in this priceless artifact into a grand and emotionally rich stage epic, the production unfolds a vivid panorama of cultural exchange where past and present converge.
An Artifact as the Thread, Legend as the Foundation
The brocade armguard “Five Stars Rise in the East, Bringing Prosperity to China,” a national first-class cultural relic, is not only a major archaeological discovery but also a living testament to the unity in diversity and mutual exchange of Chinese civilization. Playwright Xu Rui and Chief Director and Choreographer Wang Ge take this artifact as the narrative core to craft a legendary tale:
In the ancient city of Jingjue, Feng, a Han-dynasty frontier general; Jiante, the son of a northern tribal leader; and Chun Jun, the daughter of the Jingjue chieftain, connected by fate. Through the trials of wind and sandstorm, they move from mistrust and confrontation to friendship. solidarity and shared destiny. Against the backdrop of a turbulent era, they forge a profound bond that transcends ethnicity and culture. The brocade armguard worn close to Feng’s body embodies deep devotion to homeland and nation, while symbolizing the enduring spiritual ties of kinship, mutual support, and shared guardianship between the people of the Central Plains and those in the Western Regions.
Deeply Moving Stage Aesthetics
The artistic expression of Five Stars Rising in the East reaches an extraordinary level of refinement. Led by Wang Ge, the creative team grounds its choreography in rigorous historical research, seamlessly blending the elegance and solemnity of Han and Tang classical dance with the vitality and freedom of Western-Region styles, forming a highly distinctive movement language. From vast deserts of golden sand to resplendent brocade, from the ancient city of Jingjue to the grandeur of Chang’an, every dance sequence represents a convergence of technical mastery and spiritual depth.
The brocade armguard “Five Stars Rise in the East, Bringing Prosperity to China,” a national first-class cultural relic, is not only a major archaeological discovery but also a living testament to the unity in diversity and mutual exchange of Chinese civilization. Playwright Xu Rui and Chief Director and Choreographer Wang Ge take this artifact as the narrative core to craft a legendary tale:
In the ancient city of Jingjue, Feng, a Han-dynasty frontier general; Jiante, the son of a northern tribal leader; and Chun Jun, the daughter of the Jingjue chieftain, connected by fate. Through the trials of wind and sandstorm, they move from mistrust and confrontation to friendship. solidarity and shared destiny. Against the backdrop of a turbulent era, they forge a profound bond that transcends ethnicity and culture. The brocade armguard worn close to Feng’s body embodies deep devotion to homeland and nation, while symbolizing the enduring spiritual ties of kinship, mutual support, and shared guardianship between the people of the Central Plains and those in the Western Regions.
Deeply Moving Stage Aesthetics
The artistic expression of Five Stars Rising in the East reaches an extraordinary level of refinement. Led by Wang Ge, the creative team grounds its choreography in rigorous historical research, seamlessly blending the elegance and solemnity of Han and Tang classical dance with the vitality and freedom of Western-Region styles, forming a highly distinctive movement language. From vast deserts of golden sand to resplendent brocade, from the ancient city of Jingjue to the grandeur of Chang’an, every dance sequence represents a convergence of technical mastery and spiritual depth.
The iconic segment “Splendid Brocade” made a stunning appearance at the 2023 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, captivating audiences nationwide with its majestic choreography and stirring music. The theme song “Never Forget Each Other”, performed by acclaimed singers Ayanga and Tan Weiwei, is deeply lyrical and emotionally resonant, earning the 10th Beijing Literature and Arts Award and becoming a widely cherished classic.
Acclaimed by Audiences and Honors Alike
Since its premiere in 2021, Oriental Legend has toured more than 100 times across China, welcoming over 100,000 theatregoers, with related online viewership surpassing 600 million. The production has received both the “Five-One Project” Outstanding Works Award and the 17th China Cultural and Arts Government Award (Wenhua Grand Prize), securing its place as a landmark achievement in contemporary Chinese dance theatre.
Eastern Aesthetics on the World Stage
The North American tour is presented by China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. under its “Charm of China”brand, with local execution by the Canada–China Cultural Development Association (CCCDA). More than an overseas tour, this is a resonant moment for Eastern aesthetics on the global stage—an important occasion for Chinese civilization to cross oceans and speak once more to the world.
At the close of 2025, let us gather on Canadian stages, using a millennium-old brocade as our bridge, to travel through the mists of history and immerse ourselves in a shared rhythm of civilization—together weaving a rich and radiant cultural encounter.
Chief Director & Choreographer:
Wang Ge — Vice Chairman of the China Dancers Association; First-Class Director
Playwright:
Xu Rui — President and Professor of the Beijing Dance Academy; Vice Chairman of the China Musical Theatre Association; Vice Chairman of the Beijing Literary Critics Association
Composer:
Yang Fan — Composer of the China National Symphony Orchestra; Council Member of the Composers & Composition Theory Society, Chinese Musicians Association
🎭 Performance Information
Toronto
Ottawa
Since its premiere in 2021, Oriental Legend has toured more than 100 times across China, welcoming over 100,000 theatregoers, with related online viewership surpassing 600 million. The production has received both the “Five-One Project” Outstanding Works Award and the 17th China Cultural and Arts Government Award (Wenhua Grand Prize), securing its place as a landmark achievement in contemporary Chinese dance theatre.
Eastern Aesthetics on the World Stage
The North American tour is presented by China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. under its “Charm of China”brand, with local execution by the Canada–China Cultural Development Association (CCCDA). More than an overseas tour, this is a resonant moment for Eastern aesthetics on the global stage—an important occasion for Chinese civilization to cross oceans and speak once more to the world.
At the close of 2025, let us gather on Canadian stages, using a millennium-old brocade as our bridge, to travel through the mists of history and immerse ourselves in a shared rhythm of civilization—together weaving a rich and radiant cultural encounter.
Chief Director & Choreographer:
Wang Ge — Vice Chairman of the China Dancers Association; First-Class Director
Playwright:
Xu Rui — President and Professor of the Beijing Dance Academy; Vice Chairman of the China Musical Theatre Association; Vice Chairman of the Beijing Literary Critics Association
Composer:
Yang Fan — Composer of the China National Symphony Orchestra; Council Member of the Composers & Composition Theory Society, Chinese Musicians Association
🎭 Performance Information
Toronto
- December 12 (Friday) at 7:30 PM
- December 13 (Saturday) at 1:30 PM / 7:30 PM
Ottawa
- December 18 (Thursday) at 7:30 PM
- December 19 (Friday) at 7:30 PM
- December 20 (Saturday) at 1:30 PM / 7:30 PM