A fight scene in the battle to liberate Shanghai from the new circus production Dawn of Shanghai, which opened the 21st China Shanghai International Arts Festival on Oct 18. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Feng Shuangbai, chairman of the China Dancers Association, praised the montage structure, intricate narrative and ingenious use of video projection and other stage effects. He says that the success of The Eternal Wave proves that "great artistic success can be achieved by adapting the spirit of traditional Chinese aesthetics for the modern age ... The production has raised the bar and successfully set a new direction for contemporary Chinese dance theater".

These two outstanding live productions in Shanghai have shown that the city's performing companies are making breakthroughs in creating new productions with a revolutionary theme, Huang wrote. "While The Eternal Wave has changed people's perception of storytelling in dance theater, Dawn of Shanghai has brought together colorful movements and performances that has allowed audiences to enjoy a highly entertaining show with war as a backdrop," he added.