The mother character is depicted as being born into a fishing family in South China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The mother is born into a fishing family, who spend the majority of their lives on boats as part of a unique community of people in South China. According to Chen Jianzhong, the production's literary consultant, this backstory provides cultural context for the characters and highlights the resilience of the women.

"This production possesses its own expression and narration that intertwine reality and illusion. It combines vivid, relatable scenes of everyday life in Guangdong province with symbolic dream scenes," Chen says.

Multimedia technology is also integrated into the stage, lighting and sound design to showcase the contrast and achieve a smooth transition between reality and fantasy.

"Blooming Life tells of the human yearning for life and the struggle against inevitable illnesses and setbacks. On the stage, the audience can see a flower of humanity coming into bloom," says Feng Shuangbai, president of the China Dancers Association, who is the artistic consultant on the production.

"Love permeates through this production — the mother's love for her child, society's care for people with Alzheimer's, the bonds among neighbors and the son's love for his mother that matures over time. Together, they form the universal love of human existence."