GEORGE TOWN, August 10 – Taiwanese choreographer Lai Hung-Chung brings his internationally acclaimed dance work Birdy to Dewan Sri Pinang on August 9 and 10, offering audiences a visually rich exploration of freedom and constraint.
Using powerful metaphors of cages and dreams, Lai reinterprets traditional Chinese opera elements—such as the “Ling Zi” pheasant feathers and spear-like “Rattan pole”—to reflect the tensions between personal aspirations and societal expectations.
Set to an eclectic fusion of electronic and Chinese classical music, the 60-minute performance seamlessly weaves Tai Chi with contemporary dance, portraying the journey from heritage to modern identity.
Presented by Hung Dance, the Taiwanese contemporary company founded by Lai in 2017, Birdy has earned multiple international awards, including recognition at Germany’s International Choreographic Competition Hannover and Spain’s Masdanza Festival.
Known for its distinctive blend of cultural tradition and innovative movement, Hung Dance has captivated audiences worldwide, from Europe to the Americas, with over 250 performances. Lai’s choreography invites viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between limitation and aspiration in the universal search for selfhood.
The Penang staging features an ensemble of eight dancers—CHENG I-han, LEE Kuan-ling, LU Ying-chieh, WU Shin-jie, CHEN Ting-yu, HUANG Li-chieh, XIA Zhen-wei, and CHIU Po-sheng—supported by a skilled production team and backed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture.
Tickets are priced at RM60, RM80, and RM100, welcoming audiences aged six and above to experience this evocative fusion of tradition, modernity, and the timeless human desire for freedom.
