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A new children's percussion musical "Hua Mulan" will be staged from April to May in Beijing. It offers a modern take on the legendary female hero, designed to resonate with today's youth.
Cast and crew on stage during a show-styled press conference for "Hua Mulan" in Beijing, April 20, 2026. [Photo courtesy of China National Theatre for Children]
"Hua Mulan" is a household name. With this interpretation, one can witness the fusion of percussion and musical theater for the first time. This family-friendly production will serve as the opening show of the China National Theatre for Children's 70th founding anniversary performance season. The first run of 18 performances begins on April 25, continuing through May 17 at the China Children's Theatre.
"The Ballad of Mulan" is a long narrative poem that has been passed down for over a thousand years. Thanks to its unique artistic charm, it has become a literary treasure of both China and the world. Zou Jingzhi, literary director and screenwriter of the musical "Hua Mulan," said at a press conference held in Beijing on April 20 that for 1,500 years, countless people have been moved and inspired while listening to Mulan's story.
He and fellow screenwriter Tan Yang hope to reinterpret the female hero from a youthful perspective, creating a Mulan who is both approachable and relatable. "We hope this 'Mulan' on stage can bring a beam of light to everyone: the ordinary can also be extraordinary, and young people have their own strength," he said.
Director Mao Ernan said he injected fresh energy into the classic story, believing it is not just about the loyalty and filial piety of taking her father's place in the army, but also a young person's coming-of-age adventure of seeking and discovering her true self.
"As we grow, if we lose our courage, we may also lose ourselves. So we explored this theme in depth in the production. At the same time, we integrated 'The Ballad of Mulan' throughout the show as a tribute to traditional Chinese culture," he said.
For children, percussion is the key to unlocking the world of music — the most accessible and widely beloved form of musical expression. For this production of "Hua Mulan," the Li Biao Percussion Group has been invited to perform live, with percussionists also taking on acting roles, allowing the audience to "both hear and see" the music.
Music director Li Biao said, "This is the first children's musical in China — and in the world — to feature percussion as its core. We hope it will not only be a high-quality children's musical, but also a lively and engaging children's music lesson."
The composer of "Hua Mulan," Wen Ziyang, noted that the production features more than 50 real percussion instruments, along with 108 electronic sounds from percussion synthesizers, offering audiences a never-before-heard musical palette. The work is strung together by multiple songs, aiming to move the audience through sound and emotion, reinforcing the value of music itself in musical theater in a distinctly Chinese way.
Additionally, to complement the Chinese narrative and aesthetic qualities of the story, the set design, lighting design and costume design all feature prominent traditional Chinese aesthetics as well as child-friendly elements.
Ge Dali, president of the China National Theatre for Children, said that "Hua Mulan" allows audiences to feel the unique power of Chinese spiritual expression. While there are many international adaptations of the Mulan story, very few truly present its artistic portrayal with authentic Chinese national characteristics, he noted.
"This work can show every parent and every child what the power of traditional Chinese culture truly is," he said. "At the same time, the production is also a story about courage. As children grow, they need a kind of strength — not one they are born with, but the strength to overcome difficulties when facing the world, the future and an uncertain, unpredictable destiny. That is courage."
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