Boston, September, 23 2026 — Boston-based Mt. Far Ensemble will present Realm of Illusion / 太虚幻境 at Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) Plaza Theatre this coming weekend on September 26 and 27. This immersive sound theatre work is inspired by the Chinese classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦).
Rather than retelling the novel’s familiar story, Realm of Illusion approaches Dream of the Red Chamber through a contemporary meditation on impermanence, perception, and the shifting boundary between reality and illusion.
The production brings together contemporary chamber music, live electronics, theatrical lighting, visual projection, and staged movement. Sound begins to disappear at the moment it arises; images and light dissolve as they take form. Through this constantly changing environment, the theatre itself becomes a temporary “realm of illusion,” inviting audiences to experience the act of perception rather than follow a conventional narrative.
For artistic director and pianist Shalun Li, the project asks how the philosophical and emotional world of Dream of the Red Chamber can be experienced through contemporary sound and performance rather than simply represented on stage.
Founded in Boston in 2021, Mt. Far Ensemble is an interdisciplinary ensemble bringing together artists from different cultural and artistic backgrounds to create new work across contemporary chamber music, electronics, visual media, and performance. Realm of Illusion features original music by Jialin Liu, Lingbo Ma, and Rihards Kolmanis, performed within an integrated visual and theatrical environment.
The project has also been developed with scholarly collaboration from Professor Zhan Dan of Shanghai Normal University, Vice President of the Chinese Society of Dream of the Red Chamber Studies, connecting contemporary artistic experimentation with one of the most important works of Chinese literature.
Following its Boston performances, Realm of Illusion has been invited to the China Shanghai International Arts Festival later this fall, taking a project developed in Boston back to China for its next stage.
Performance Information
Performances: Saturday, September 26, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Sunday, September 27, 2026 — 2:30 PM
Venue: BCA Plaza Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
Duration: Approximately 70 minutes, no intermission
Tickets: https://www.bostontheatrescene.com/shows-and-events/realm-of-illusion
We offer discounted student tickets and group discounts.
More information: https://www.shalunlipianist.com/projects
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