There is something inherently theatrical about ancient mythology. Gods, monsters, wars between emperors and stories of creation offer a scale of imagination that can easily overwhelm a stage. Mountains and Seas, a musical based on the script by Nobel Prize-winning writer Gao Xingjian, embraces that scale with an energetic combination of mythology, rock music, movement and visual spectacle.

Performed by NTNU GIPA from Taiwan, the production takes audiences back to the beginning of the world, drawing on a collection of Chinese myths to explore the origins of humanity and the conflicts between gods and mortals. Nuwa creates humankind and repairs the broken sky; Houyi shoots down nine of Emperor Jun’s ten suns; Chiyou drives the Yan Emperor into war against the Yellow Emperor; Jingwei becomes a bird determined to fill the sea; and Chang’e ultimately ascends to the moon. Rather than presenting these stories as distant historical legends, the production approaches them as a large-scale musical adventure.

Its greatest strength is undoubtedly its use of rock music. The rock elements feel integrated into the theatrical language rather than simply added as decoration. The driving rhythms give the mythology a sense of urgency and youthful energy, particularly during moments of conflict and confrontation. The music also helps bridge the considerable distance between ancient stories and a contemporary audience. These are stories of gods and emperors, but the language of rock makes their emotions feel immediate and physical.

The production is particularly successful when its larger-than-life characters come to the foreground. Chiyou, Chang’e and Houyi are given distinctive theatrical identities, and the performers make strong choices that allow these figures to stand apart from one another. Chiyou, in particular, possesses an imposing stage presence, while Chang’e carries a more complex mixture of vulnerability and determination. Houyi is similarly recognisable as a heroic figure whose actions are complicated by his relationships and personal desires. These characters provide the production with some of its strongest dramatic anchors.

Visually, Mountains and Seas also has a clear identity. The costumes and character designs have a strong sense of style, drawing on an imaginative interpretation of ancient Chinese mythology rather than attempting strict historical reconstruction. The silhouettes, colours and overall aesthetic contribute to the feeling that the audience has entered a world somewhere between legend, fantasy and rock concert. Combined with projection and lighting, these elements create moments of genuine spectacle.

The production’s main limitation lies in the performers’ level of maturity. While the cast brings considerable enthusiasm and energy to the stage, some performances feel slightly inexperienced. At times, the acting is more demonstrative than fully inhabited, and emotional transitions could benefit from greater subtlety and control. This is particularly noticeable when the production moves from large musical numbers into quieter dramatic moments. The performers clearly understand the scale and energy required by the piece, but greater restraint and psychological depth could make the characters considerably more compelling.

Nevertheless, this youthful quality also contributes to the production’s charm. There is a genuine sense of discovery and excitement in the ensemble, and the performers commit wholeheartedly to the world the production creates. The result is less concerned with naturalistic realism than with creating an energetic theatrical mythology.

Ultimately, Mountains and Seas feels like a production that is still growing into its full potential. Its combination of Chinese mythology, rock music, distinctive characterisation and striking visual design already provides a strong foundation. Most importantly, the production seems larger than the space in which it is currently being presented. The scale of its mythology, the energy of its music and the ambition of its visual world all suggest that it could flourish in a larger theatre, where the performers, projections, costumes and music could breathe more freely.

Mountains and Seas may not yet have completely mastered the dramatic maturity of its ambitions, but it has something equally valuable: a distinctive theatrical voice. By bringing ancient legends into the language of contemporary rock musical theatre, it offers a vivid and energetic interpretation of stories that have survived for thousands of years.