Shanghai Dance Theater’s signature work “The Eternal Wave,” based on the real story of Chinese revolutionary martyr Li Bai, will be staged later this month at the Pingshan Theater.

In 1938, Li and his wife risked their lives as they secretly transmitted intelligence information via radio to Chinese revolutionaries. Eventually, Li sent out the last transmission before bravely sacrificing his life.

Many spy stories in films, TV and novels have achieved great success in recent years, but it is the first time for a dance drama to take on such a subject. “There is no dialogue and we have to use body language to explain the spying and war plots,” said Chen Feihua, president of the Shanghai Dance Theater.

The stage design is filled with typical Shanghai elements such as old houses, narrow alleyways, newspaper stands and tailor shops. To better understand the characters, the dance theater’s principal dancers Wang Jiajun and Zhu Jiejing visited Li’s former residence in Shanghai to experience the environment and imagine the couple’s lives in those turbulent years.

“I noticed that there was an old wooden ladder leading to their residence, and one has to walk like a cat to avoid making a noise,” said Zhu, who plays Li’s wife. “I put that detail into my performance, and tried to walk gingerly.” Chen said it was the well-polished details that had made the work real and attractive to audience members.

Time: 2:30 p.m., 8 p.m., Oct. 23-24

Tickets: 180-680 yuan

Booking: WeChat account “PingShanTheatre”

Venue: Pingshan Theater, Hekang Road, Pingshan District (坪山区荷康路坪山大剧院)

Transport: Take the high-speed rail from Shenzhen North Station to Pingshan Station and then take a taxi