National Ballet of China’s A Dream of Red Mansions in Singapore

JUST LIVE proudly presents A Dream of Red Mansions, performed by the internationally acclaimed National Ballet of China, making its highly anticipated Singapore premiere in March 2026. As part of the National Ballet of China’s Asia tour, this celebrated two-act ballet transforms Cao Xueqin’s literary masterpiece into a breathtaking stage experience, fusing classical ballet technique with the poetic nuances of Chinese cultural aesthetics.

The 2-hour performance follows the romance of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, set against the rise and decline of the Jia family. As the ballet unfolds, Jia Baoyu drifts into a dreamlike realm where the souls of flowers, childhood companions, and echoes of past lives weave through an ethereal landscape. Playful innocence shimmers alongside the bittersweet ache of first love and parting, while each movement, costume, and play of light shapes a living reverie — a world both luminous and poetic, hauntingly beautiful and unforgettable.

Drawing on over six decades of artistic mastery, the National Ballet of China interprets Cao Xueqin’s novel with subtlety and depth. Every gesture, tableau, and musical phrase reflects the company’s distinctive blend of Western classical technique and Chinese artistic heritage, evoking the story’s romance, longing, and ephemeral beauty for audiences.

At the heart of this production is a visionary creative team led by Executive Director and Producer Feng Ying and General Choreographer Tong Ruirui, supported by Scriptwriter Feng Li, Stage Designer Liu Xinglin, Costume Designer Yang Donglin, Lighting Designer Liu Zhao, and Composer Ye Xiaogang, whose evocative score highlights the romance, longing, and ethereal beauty of Jia Baoyu’s journey. Their combined artistry translates the novel’s intricate emotions into an immersive performance, where movement, visuals, and music converge to capture the essence of A Dream of Red Mansions.

“The vision to bring A Dream of Red Mansions to life through dance has been close to my heart for many years,” said Tong Ruirui, the General Choreographer of A Dream of Red Mansions Ballet. “Through this ballet, we invite audiences to step into Jia Baoyu’s dream: a space where love, memory, and imagination intertwine. Every gesture reflects the emotional currents of this extraordinary story. It is our hope that audiences will leave with a deep sense of connection to the beauty, longing, and timelessness of these characters’ lives,” he continued.

Bringing Tong Ruirui’s vision to the stage, JUST LIVE envelops the performance in world-class lighting, set, and stage design. “We are thrilled to bring the National Ballet of China to Singapore,” said Alain Brochu, Marketing Director of JUST LIVE. “JUST LIVE’s vision has always been to create unforgettable live experiences, and this collaboration allows us to showcase the exquisite artistry of one of the world’s premier ballet companies while immersing audiences in the poetic, dreamlike world of the Rong Mansion,” he added.

Experience a performance where every visual, every note, and every breath of movement evokes the essence of A Dream of Red Mansions, reflecting on love, destiny, and the fleeting nature of life itself.

Tickets & Showtimes*

• Dates: 12 – 15 March 2026
• Showtimes: 8:00 PM daily, with an additional matinee at 2:30 PM on 14 March 2026
• Venue: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore
• Ticket Categories: Cat 1 (S$388) | Cat 2 (S$288) | Cat 3 (S$188) | Cat 4 (S$158) | Cat 5 (S$88) | Premier Box (S$388) | Balcony (S$188)
• Early Bird Tickets are now available. For bookings and more information, visit https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/mansions0326.

* SISTIC booking fees apply.

Synopsis of A Dream of Red Mansions

In A Dream of Red Mansions, audiences follow Jia Baoyu on a journey through a dreamlike realm where past lives, childhood companions, and the souls of flowers intermingle. Against the backdrop of the grand Rong Mansion, Jia Baoyu’s childhood unfolds alongside Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, as innocence, first love, and the fleeting joys of youth are tenderly explored. Playful moments in the Grand View Garden coexist with the melancholy of parting and the quiet awareness of life’s impermanence, creating a poetic tapestry of memory, love, and longing.

As the story progresses, Jia Baoyu faces familial pressure, personal loss, and the complications of romance, culminating in a dramatic confrontation between desire and duty. From birthday celebrations to tragic revelations, he navigates the tensions of love and societal expectations, ultimately retreating into a solitary, reflective world. In the epilogue, the ethereal vision of the past lingers as Jia Baoyu bids farewell to the intertwined fates around him, leaving audiences with a haunting meditation on love, destiny, and the ephemeral beauty of life.

For more information on A Dream of Red Mansions Ballet, please visit https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/mansions0326. 

Images: JUST LIVE and National Ballet of China