The award winning production The Peasant Prince, the children's version of Li Cunxin's iconic autobiography Mao’s Last Dancer.

The Peasant Prince is an extraordinary production of a remarkable story – of a peasant boy turned dance giant. It will inspire and enthral young audiences.
A remarkable true story of a 10-year-old peasant boy’s journey from impoverished rural China to the international dance scene. This is a story of courage, resilience and unwavering hope.
Li, a 10-year old peasant boy is plucked from his village in rural China and sent to a ballet academy in the big city. He leaves everything and everyone he loves, including his family. Over years of gruelling training, this boy transforms from an impoverished peasant to a giant of the international dance scene. Li’s courage, resilience and unwavering hope for a better life for himself and his family makes The Peasant Prince a story to ignite our own aspirations to be the best person we can be. Audiences will be captivated by this very personal story, truly a 20th century fairy tale.

Available for Education Bookings only

Stage Whispers

"It’s a vivid piece of storytelling that is skillful, theatrical and inspiring. It was a loving and honest adaptation of Li’s treasured memoir"

Australian Stage

"The Peasant Prince is vital, exuberant, aspirational, and inspirational."

Cast & Credits

Playwright Eva Di Cesare, Sandie Eldridge and Tim McGarry
Director Tim McGarry
Remount Director Egan Sun-Bin
Production Designer Michael Hankin
Composer Daryl Wallis
Movement Director Danielle Micich
Remount Movement Director Lia Reutens
Lighting Designer Sian James-Holland
Author & Script Consultant Li Cunxin

Cast
Agnes Choi
Jonathan Lim
Gerwin Widjaja
Alan Zhu

Photos by Heidrun Lohr.  Photos from 2016 national tour feature performers Jenevieve Chang, Jonathan Chan, John Gomez Goodway and Edric Hong.

Education Bookings & Resources

EDUCATION PERFORMANCE DATES

Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 10:15am
Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 12:30pm
Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 10:15am
Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 12:30pm

EDUCATION TICKETS & PRICING

$31 ea
1 teacher free for every 20 students booked.

SUITABLE FOR YEARS 2 – 6
(STAGES 1 – 3)

Curriculum Links and Resources
Download The Peasant Prince Curriculum Links
Download The Peasant Prince Education Pack

Online Education Bookings
To reserve your booking, select the ‘Education Bookings’ button under the calendar and confirm the number of tickets, prices and contact details. Please note you will not be asked to pay for your booking at this stage.

You’ll receive a booking invoice of a 25% non-refundable deposit with a ‘payment due’ date. It is your responsibility to forward the tax invoice to your Financial Officer for payment by the due date.

For more details about How to Book, Excursion & Accessibility For Education

Accessibility

In English

Wheelchair accessible

Companion Card accepted

Assistive Hearing system available (FM)

Relaxed Performance available

Relaxed Performance

Wednesday 22 May 2024 at 10:15am

Relaxed performances (RP) are open to everyone, but with modifications to sound and lighting to be more suited to patrons with autism, individuals with other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.

Find out more about accessibility at Riverside Theatres

Additional Ticketing Information

$5.95 Transaction Fee applies.

The authorised ticket agency for this event is Riverside Theatres.

Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency, you risk that these tickets are fake, void, or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies.

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 0-18 months at the time of a performance may be seated on an adult’s lap free of charge. All children occupying a seat or over 18 months of age must hold a valid ticket.

For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions

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