“It was like joining a guided meditation.” – Art Critic, Bernice Chan
“The cast otherwise excel in interpreting abstract ideas through dance and physical movement.” – South China Morning Post
“The stage design is an astonishing symbol…it reveals the core spirit of storytelling under the tree.” – Hong Kong Economic Journal
“If the goal was to spur the audience into “raising questions about the spiritual paths” available to us, Tang seems to have made it.” – China Daily
IATC(HK) Critics Award 2023 – Award of Scenography of the Year, Nomination of Director of the Year
To embark on the Asian tour, Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio is honoured to be invited to tour our latest repertoire Bhagavad Gita at the 2025 BPAT International Theatre Festival in Beijing. Premiered in 2023, Bhagavad Gita is the most personal and remarkable work over times by Tang Shu-wing, the Founder and Artistic Director of Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio. Hailed as “one of the most thought-provoking stage performances of the summer of 2023,” Bhagavad Gita was restaged in June 2025 as part of the “HKADC 30th Anniversary Gala Festival”. With its majestic storytelling form that combines dance, physical theatre, and minimalist theatre aesthetics, the production will be staged at the Cao Yu Theatre, Beijing International Theatre Center from 24-26 October 2025.
"Bhagavad" refers to "The Venerable"; "Gita" refers to "Chant". Bhagavad Gita, which originated from Indian epic Mahabharata, is a war story of an ancient Indian kingdom. At the eve of war, Lord Krishna revealed the wisdom of Indian Yoga to warrior Arjuna: Adhyatma, Brahma, Dharma, Samsara and the wisdom of three gunas, by eradicating the attachment to the self can one attain spiritual awareness. Today, as humanity grapples with endless conflicts and the relentless onslaught of artificial intelligence, Bhagavad Gita may offer us profound revelations. Bhagavad Gita is filled with life philosophies, and even J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb", was influenced by it.
Directed by Tang Shu-wing, Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual journey filled with visual and auditory imagery. Distilling key concepts, Tang reimagined Bhagavad Gita through narration, non-verbal theatre, dance, singing, and visual arts, revealing the current situation of today’s era and the challenges humanity faces. For this Beijing tour, Mandy Wong reprises her lead role, joined for the first time by Rick Cheung, a two-time winner of the “Best Actor” award presented by the Hong Kong Theatre Libre, alongside six exceptional performers, delivering a captivating spiritual dialogue that blends audiovisual delight.
Bhagavad Gita Tour in Beijing
Concept/Adaptation/Director: Tang Shu-wing
Script Editor: Jim Hui
Cast: Mandy Wong, Rick Cheung, Lau Ting-kwan, Kingsan Lo, Peggy Chow, Jasmine Lam, Carmen Yu, Elvin Cheung
Assistant Director: Rocky Wong
Stage Designer: Vanessa Suen
Lighting Designer: Yeung Tsz-yan
Music Composer: Lam Kwan-fai
Sound Designer: Anthony Yeung
Costume Designer: Jade Leung
Video Designer: Henky Chan
Bharatanatyam Choreographer: Sandhya Gopal
Tour Manager: Cedric Yip
Production Manager: Lawrence Lee
Tour Coordinator: Kitty Ng
— — — — — — — —
24-25.10.2025 (Fri-Sat) 19:30
26.10.2025 (Sun) 14:30
Cao Yu Theatre, Beijing International Theatre Center
CNY680, 480, 280, 180 (Student ticket: CNY40, admission with student ID)
Performed in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles.
The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes without intermission.
— — — — — — — —
Presented by Beijing People's Art Theatre
Produced and performed by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio
Supporting Organisation: The Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing
The presenter reserves the right to change the programme or artist(s) should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.
Hong Kong Arts Development Council supports freedom of artistic expression. The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Council.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|