A bold new interdisciplinary performance, Mountains and Seas – Song of Today 山海 · 今日之歌, is set to premiere at Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre this December. The work draws inspiration from one of the foundational texts of Chinese civilization, The Classic of Mountains and Seas (4th-century BCE).
This classic is a fantastical collection of myths, folklore, strange beasts, and ancient landscapes. It provided crucial insight into early Chinese thought, cosmology, and practices like witchcraft and medicine.
The modern production, co-produced by Kakilang, takes that ancient link between myth, nature, and early scientific inquiry and uses it to explore the most pressing concerns of the 21st century.
Issues like the climate emergency, the rise of global fascism, and political activism are central to the new work.
The show is a collaboration between three remarkable artists: writer and performer Daniel York Loh, performance artist and director Xie Rong (also known as Echo Morgan), and award-winning composer Beibei Wang.
York Loh is known for his work in theatre, including the Off West End Award-nominated The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience, and his recent appearance opposite Sheridan Smith in the ITV drama I Fought the Law.
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Xie Rong, who directs and designs the piece, is an acclaimed artist whose practice weaves together Eastern philosophy and ecofeminism. Beibei Wang, celebrated for her “high-energy virtuosity,” has composed an entirely new score that will be played live during the performance.
The production itself promises to be a powerful blend of forms. It incorporates poetry, live painting, AI animation, film, dance, and live music to create a theatrical experience intended to move and challenge the audience.
The ensemble includes a mix of performers and musicians: Xie Rong as painter, York Loh as a musician (playing guitar and harmonica) and performer, alongside Jennifer Lim (narrator), dancers Tash Tung and Fan Jiayi, and Chinese instrumentalists Chen Yu Xiao (xun/xiao flutes) and He Song Yuan (Beijing Opera vocal and guqin).
Mountains and Seas – Song of Today 山海 · 今日之歌 is presented at the Omnibus Theatre from Tuesday 2 December to Saturday 6 December.
Book Tickets
See this unique collision of ancient mythology and contemporary urgency.
You can purchase tickets for Mountains and Seas – Song of Today at the Omnibus Theatre’s website.
The preview on Tuesday 2 December is £10, with subsequent performances priced at £18 (£16 concessions).
