Let's get ready to rock the forest glade

A group of long-haired metalheads will “drive” a Citroen AX to the Shanghai Daning Theater on May 3 and 4, as the show “La Mélancolie des Dragons” is staged in the city.

Their old car is broken down and stranded in the middle of a snowy forest. A middle-aged woman encounters them by accident. Instead of being frustrated, the rockers decide to build an amusement park in the location with a heavy metal theme.

Using a projector, a fog machine and several wigs, the metalheads create a world of craziness.

The international hit intends to tell audiences that melancholy might not be a negative emotion as it can lead to fruitful images.

The performance is directed by Philippe Quesne. Transforming from a visual artist to a theater producer, the Frenchman is known as one of the most ingenious directors in Europe. As he did as a child — collecting insects,  Quesne is deeply interested in the relationship between humans and nature, which is implied in the show.

Poetic, poignant, absurd and hilarious, the play has minimal dialogue.

“Words are very important but silence is also significant. Words are not always useful. Sound, light and action, they all drive the show,” said Quesne. “Music is helpful to create mood.”

In the show, audiences will see huge inflatable sculptures and hear the lilting melodies of medieval recorders, such as the Scorpions’s signature song “Still Loving You” played on the flute.

Info

Date: May 3, 7:30pm; May 4, 2:30pm

Tickets: 100-500 yuan

Tel: 3636-8807

Venue: Daning Theater

Address: 1222 Pingxingguan Rd