DanceHouse will present the Vancouver premiere of Taiwan’s acclaimed Hung Dance with Birdy, a powerful exploration of freedom and restraint, on November 28 and 29, 2025, at 8pm at the Vancouver Playhouse.
The performance features the striking use of the “Ling Zi,” a traditional Chinese opera headpiece adorned with four-foot pheasant tail feathers, historically symbolizing a warrior’s strength and grace. In Birdy, the feathers become an extension of the dancers’ bodies—transforming from weapons to quills to symbols of flight—as they navigate the tension between conformity and liberation.
“It has been a longtime goal to bring work from Taiwan to our DanceHouse audiences,” said Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse. “We want to celebrate Vancouver’s vibrant Taiwanese community and highlight Taiwan’s important role in global cultural dialogue. Birdy captures the meeting of tradition and innovation that defines Taiwan’s contemporary artistic spirit.”
Set to an evocative mix of electronica and Chinese classical music, Birdy merges Tai Chi, contemporary dance, and martial arts to portray the journey from history to modern identity. The work reflects on how societies evolve—balancing heritage with the pursuit of freedom and individuality.
Founded in 2017 by choreographer Lai Hung-Chung, Hung Dance has earned international acclaim for its distinctive fusion of Peking opera, martial arts, and modern choreography. As Zone Critique notes, “In Birdy, Lai Hung-Chung explores the limits of our desires and our sense of freedom.”
The Vancouver performances include pre-show talks at 7:15pm and a post-show reception on Friday evening.
Tickets and details are available at dancehouse.ca.
Last modified: November 20, 2025
