China's first stage production with an anti-drug theme, "The Thunder," is scheduled to premiere in Shanghai this July.

This dance drama, produced by the Beijing Opera and Dance Drama Theater, is adapted from the 2019 television series of the same name and is based on real cases.

The story centers on an overseas transnational drug cartel that collaborates with domestic criminals to mass-produce methamphetamine. The cartel then distributes this illicit drug to inland provinces in China and abroad, generating huge profits. Narcotics officers risk their lives to disrupt this vast criminal network.

"The Thunder" serves as a tribute to anti-drug heroes, highlighting their courageous life-and-death decisions. The creators blend modern and traditional Chinese dance, employing expressive movements to convey intense plot lines and the emotional journeys of the characters.

In terms of stage design, the lighting ingeniously segments space. At the same time, multimedia components amplify scenes that blur the boundaries between reality and illusion, especially during undercover operations and life-or-death confrontations.

"The Thunder" is competing for China's prestigious Lotus Award.