A scene from Great Port in the East. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

Great Port in the East, a Ningbo-made dance drama, premiered at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, capital of China, on the evening of May 15.

Set against the backdrop of Ningbo Zhoushan Port in East China's Zhejiang province, which is the world's largest port by cargo throughput, the dance drama depicts different generations of locals who were involved in the construction of the grand harbor since the start of the country's reform and opening-up efforts.

Its debut proved to be a huge success. As the two-hour performance wrapped up, it received huge applause from audiences, who were still reluctant to leave following several curtain calls.

According to the drama's directors Wang Sisi and Qian Xin, they visited the Ningbo Zhoushan Port to seek inspiration and were impressed by the scenes of container ships and containers, which later became major elements in the dance drama.

Many of the stories in the drama are adapted from true stories, said Yan Xiaoping, director of the Ningbo Song and Dance Theater, in a recent interview.

A scene from Great Port in the East. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]