Swan (Mariinsky II (New) Theatre, ballet) - 29 April 2026 at 19:00

Prologue
Young Yu Meng dreams of receiving pointe shoes. She yearns to become the Swan Queen. But dreams are fleeting, and Yu Meng awakens.

Part One
Joys and Hardships
The day begins in the rehearsal hall. Through daily toil, Yu Meng draws closer to her dream. Under the watchful guidance of her teacher, she matures.
Growth
One day, a newcomer, Yu Heng, appears in the hall and becomes Yu Meng's partner. They train together, pursuing their shared dream. Their teacher observes as his beloved students grow day by day.
Chasing the Dream
In the rehearsal hall, sweat flows freely as the acrobats strive to realize their dreams through relentless effort and perseverance. Yu Meng spreads her wings atop Yu Heng's shoulders, challenging themselves time and again. Suddenly, Yu Meng falls from a great height.

Part Two
Darkest Hour
Black and white teeter on the brink. In the endless night, Yu Meng finds herself in the world of  Swan Lake. Fear breeds doubt: should she persist or give up? Yu Meng makes her decision and spreads her wings. Her dream empowers her, and she rises once more.
Transformation
Only through hardship can one achieve success; perseverance is the key to realizing dreams. Yu Meng dons her pointe shoes and rehearses atop Yu Heng's shoulders. After countless setbacks and overcoming pain, their shoulder ballet gains recognition. Yu Meng triumphs on the international stage, soaring high like the Swan Queen.
Flourishing
The sincerity, beauty, and kindness of acrobatics transcend all boundaries. Their journey was arduous, but they never surrendered. This is not just the story of Yu Meng and Yu Heng, but of all Chinese acrobats. Hard work is the most vibrant color of youth!

Theatre, acrobatics, and ballet intertwine in the drama Swan, narrating the evolution of the uniquely Chinese acrobatic genre – ballet on shoulders – through the life of acrobat Yu Meng as she participates in a production of Swan Lake. The story explores the challenges, perseverance, sacrifices, and rewards on the path of an acrobat, paying homage to athletes who constantly push the boundaries of their discipline, fearlessly embrace setbacks, and boldly introduce creative innovations. Today, ballet on shoulders holds a significant place in the history of global acrobatics, even though China's exploration of this theatrical art form began only in 2004 with the creation of the world's first acrobatic drama, Swan Lake.

Founded in 1959, the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China (Guangzhou Acrobatic Arts Theatre) has cultivated a legacy of national acrobatic traditions, seamlessly blending dance, artistic gymnastics, theatre, and other art forms. Through constant innovation and reform in its productions, the company has forged a unique performance style. The troupe has garnered recognition and warm receptions both domestically and internationally, captivating audiences across Asia, Europe, North and Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. It has amassed over a hundred prizes and titles at various acrobatic competitions and festivals, both within China and abroad. The company has been honoured by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China for its exceptional contributions to the development of acrobatic arts.