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Book of Mountains and Seas

 
Mark Harding Review by Mark Harding 3 Published: 15 Aug 2025 The Lyceum Show Dates: 14 Aug 2025-16 Aug 2025

The composer, Huang Ruo, and director/designer Basil Twist relate four ancient Chinese myths in a hybrid of music concert and puppet drama in Book of Mountains and Seas at the Lyceum.

The sensation of witnessing a mysterious, profound ritual

The production has an atmosphere of ancient ritual – the resources used are spare and primal. The puppetry uses natural or ageless materials: driftwood, silk, Chinese lanterns. The musical resources are primeval – a choir of twelve and two percussionists, conducted by Miles Lallemant. The libretto (written by Ruo) is in Mandarin, but also uses invented words. This approach adds to the sensation of witnessing a mysterious, profound ritual.

The overall message of the stories is mankind’s insignificance when compared to Nature. This humility is a valuable message and, in the broader context, completely true. The choir and percussionists perform with superb clarity and control. The puppetry effects are gorgeous and striking: for example, the sea of silk, or the giant puppet of the last tale. The lighting (designed by Ayumu ‘Poe’ Saegusa) is ingenious and highly effective – adding to the storytelling and beauty of the stage, while being discreet enough to maintain the sparse, elemental tone.

The problem is the sparseness becomes wearing. The episodes go on for too long, and it’s frustrating that more is not done with the outstanding resources – the musicians, the giant puppet.

Ultimately, the show falls between two stools: too varied to be hypnotic or contemplative, but not modulated enough to maintain excitement or interest.

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The Blurb:

UK PREMIERE

Ancient Chinese myths inspire Huang Ruo's opera, confronting humanity's complex relationship with nature.

A giant tries to capture the sun. A drowned princess seeks revenge on the ocean. Ten suns compete to light the Earth.

Huang Ruo, one of the most exciting figures of contemporary opera, reimagines ancient Chinese myths, first transcribed in the fourth century BC, through the lens of today’s environmental challenges. This 21st-century adaptation explores our complex relationship with the natural world, blending music, puppetry and mythology to reflect on humanity’s role as caretakers of the Earth.

Directed by Basil Twist, the Olivier Award-winning designer of My Neighbour Totoro, the performance features the Danish choir Ars Nova Copenhagen, joined by an exceptional ensemble of percussionists and puppeteers. With timeless myths of creation, water and elemental forces, Book of Mountains and Seas reminds us of the pressing need for a collective respect for nature.

Listen on Soundcloud or Spotify.

A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.