The Peasant Prince

Monkey Baa is thrilled to announce the return of its award-winning production The Peasant Prince in 2024. 

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.

“You have your secret dreams. Follow them. Make them come true.”
- From The Peasant Prince by Li Cunxin

The Peasant Prince tells the 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.

Monkey Baa's extraordinary production won Best Production at The Glugs and The Sydney Theatre Awards and a Drover's Award for the Best Tour in 2016. 

_{Image credit: Photos by Heidrun Lohr. Photos from 2016 national tour feature performers Jenevieve Chang, Jonothan Chan, John Gomez Goodway and Edric Hong} 

A Monkey Baa Theatre Company production
Based on the book by Li Cunxin, Illustrated by Anne Spudvilas
Adapted for the stage by Eva Di Cesare, Sandie Eldridge and Tim McGarry

Creative Team
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 and Script Consultant: Li Cunxin
Casting: Agnes Choi, Jonathan Lim, Gerwin Widjaja and Alan Zhu