On March 23, the "Series of Activities to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Chinese Small Theater Drama" was launched in Beijing, and the "List of 40 Years of Influence of Chinese Contemporary Small Theater Drama" was released.
Event poster
40 years of wind and rain pay tribute to the classic, a page full of stories of the list
"It's a spring dusk and night. On November 5, 1982, the avant-garde drama "Absolute Signal" directed by "Grand Director" Lin Zhaohua was officially performed in a rehearsal hall on the third floor of the Capital Theatre. The word "experiment" was given the name here, and it was first used as a theater.
The Beijing Renyi Experimental Theater was built on the third floor of the Capital Theatre, with a usable area of 400 square meters and a capacity of 200 spectators. According to the needs of the space, the direction of the performance area and the number of seats can be adjusted. Image source: Beijing Renyi official website
Although the Sparrow of Beijing Renyi Experimental Theater is small and complete, but because of its "small", the stage design is often ingenious, basically "one play and one grid", each is not the same; also because of its small, the stage and the audience are close at hand, the actors and the audience are almost level,the performance of the yixing flying, the full attention of the watching, no VR, AR technology gimmicks, the commission is the enjoyment of "immersion".
From 1982 to 2022, China's small theater drama has spanned two centuries and gone through a 40-year process, and has dedicated a number of high-quality plays that are ideological, artistic and ornamental, and can be spread, standing and loud for the Chinese literary and art circles. The most eye-catching "40 Years of Influence List of Chinese Contemporary Small Theater Drama" was officially released today. This list is a recommendation group composed of senior experts and scholars with extensive influence in the field of theater invited by the organizers, and after several rounds of review and voting, all the leaders and creators of all production units are avoided to ensure the objectivity, comprehensiveness and representativeness of the list.
The 40 dramas in the "list" include 28 dramas, 6 operas, 1 children's drama, 1 physical drama, and 4 experimental dramas such as cross-border integration. Among them, there are both the pioneering work of China's contemporary small theater drama "Absolute Signal", as well as the pioneer of contemporary small theater opera "Splashing Water before the Horse"; both the well-received main theme works such as "Transition in the Same Boat", "Go Away Before Getting Old", "Parents' Meeting", as well as "Rhinoceros in Love", "Che Guevara", "How Much Love Can Come To Hu", which have been performed for a long time; both "Emotional Exercises" and "Station Peach Blossom" and other experimental pioneers of the last century, as well as "Samadhi" and "Strange Dogs" In recent years, the cross-border descendants have not only demonstrated the strength of the State-owned Drama Theatre Troupe, such as the China Youth Art Theater, the early works of the Central Experimental Drama Theatre, "Old B Hanging on the Wall", "Chess Man", "I Love Peach Blossoms" of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, "Wood and Inch" of the China Children's Art Theatre, etc., as well as "The Owl in the House" by the Shanghai Youth Drama Troupe, "The Lady Left Behind" by the Shanghai People's Art Theatre, "WWW.COM" by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center, and "Wounded Death" by the Shanghai Kun Opera Troupe. The trajectory of the small theater in Shanghai is clearly presented; what is particularly valuable is that "I am not Li Bai", "There is a poison", "Hidden Marriage Man and Woman", "Aquatic", "Donkey Gets Water", "Hello, Crazy Man!" "A Beautiful Day", "Desperate Love", "Two Ants on the Road" and other works of many private institutions that have emerged since the new century are on the list.
Stills from the small theater drama "Absolute Signal"
Stills from the small theater drama "Chess Man"
Stills from the small theater drama "Rhinoceros in Love"
Stills from the small theater drama "Go Away Before You Get Old"
Looking at the list of 40 screenwriters, 40 directors and 40 actors in the "list", it can be described as a gathering of famous artists, stars gathering, new and old relays, and generations of inheritance. From generations of screenwriters such as Guo Qihong, Zou Jingzhi, Guo Shixing, Wan Fang, Mo Yan, Shi Hang, Yu Rongjun, Feng Li, Li Baoqun, Lin Weiran, Lei Zhilong, etc., to lin Zhaohua, Wang Xiaoying, Jianzha Zhe, Tian Qinxin, Ren Ming, Meng Jinghui, Li Bonan, He Nian, Rao Xiaozhi, Huang Ying, Huang Kai, Zhao Miao, Shao Zehui, Ding Yiteng and other generations of directors, and then to Xi Meijuan, Feng Xianzhen, Feng Yuanzheng, Lü Liang, Jin Shijie, He Bing, Chen Jianbin, Hu Jun, Guo Tao, Deng Chao, Xu Ang, Ren Suxi and other actors, Each is an excellent artist in their own era and in their respective fields. For the touching, there are 11 deceased artists shortlisted, they are Huang Zuolin, Hu Weimin, Li Moran, Chen Yong, Chen Jianqiu, Lin Liankun, Hu Qingshu, Xiao Huifang, Wang Xiangming, Wei Zhong, Ban Zan, etc., the organizing committee originally arranged a solemn and quite ceremonial tribute link at the launching ceremony, specially made a commemorative trophy and invited their families to receive and give testimonials, the cause of the epidemic, how this link will be carried out in the future, let us wait and see.
Directed by Lin Zhaohua
Actor Feng Xianzhen
Actor Hu Jun
The epidemic has hindered the road to reunion, and artists can speak freely and enjoy their families
Although tired by the epidemic, artists can not gather together offline, but as a rare commemorative event in the theater industry, the event still attracted the active participation of many performing arts people, and sent enthusiastic testimonials to the organizing committee to express "Standing at the 40-year time node, when the country and even the world are encountering the epidemic, as a force in the theater industry, we must not forget the original heart, keep in mind the mission, take root in life, and serve the people. To make new and greater contributions to the prosperity and development of socialist literature and art."
Screenwriter Zou Jingzhi specially sent a testimonial, "I am very happy to be shortlisted for the list of influential screenwriters in China's contemporary small theater drama for 40 years, and I regard drama as life!" Thank you! In the view of screenwriters Li Baoqun and Yu Rongjun, "Small theater drama is a place where dreams can be placed." "Forty years is a year of confusion, and I hope that Chinese small theater drama can have more development in the future."
Screenwriter Zou Jingzhi
Screenwriter Li Baoqun
Screenwriter Yu Rongjun
Director Cha Mingzhe fondly recalled, "My career as a director started from a small theater drama... To her, I am full of love, respect, and awe! Young director Huang Kai believes that it is precisely because of the small theater, "more than ten years ago, I had the opportunity to appear on the stage of the capital as a creator, and I also hope that the next forty years of small theater drama can continue to prosper." "Drama creation is becoming more and more difficult, and we may cherish the opportunity of expression more and more, and take every creation more and more seriously." Perhaps, going back to where you were when you first set out is the best way to do it. Director Shao Zehui said.
Directed by Cha Mingzhe
Directed by Huang Kai
Director Shao Zehui
A number of performance artists who became famous on the stage of the small theater also sent congratulatory letters. Actress Xi Meijuan said to herself: "As an actor, my creation is welcomed by the audience, which is the happiest and happiest thing for me. It doesn't matter if you're tired. Actor Xia Lisheng believes, "Stage performance for me is a kind of desire and call for performance potential, the stage is deep and beautiful, it is a kind of achievement of beautiful imagination, I love the stage." "I am very pleased to be shortlisted for the list of influential actors in the 40 years of Chinese contemporary small theater drama." Bless Chinese drama, but also bless Chinese theater people. Young actor Ren Suxi said.
Actress Xi Meijuan
Actor Xia Li salary
Actor Ren Suxi
Diversified platform to help youth, an invitation to go to the future together
According to reports, the release of the "list" is only a "wonderful prologue" in the future series of activities, and next, the organizers also tailor-made various activities with the themes of "remembering youth", "passing youth" and "to youth" for young people who love drama. As the base of this event, Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center will not only hold up to 40 performances(fields) for the general public, academic screenings, exchanges, lectures and exhibitions and other interactive activities, combined with online and offline communication methods such as online and offline live broadcasts and short videos, so that the treasures of theater culture will shine again, and will also launch the "New Youth Re-departure" incubation platform project for theater lovers, aiming to tap young theater talents and help them grow healthily in the art field.
As the first offline event, the "Drama Shadow Yanran - Li Yan Small Theater Drama Photography Exhibition" has opened at the Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center.
It is reported that on March 27, the day of "World Theatre Day", a series of activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Chinese small theater drama and the collection of performances of the 2022 Huitian Art Festival will also be officially launched, and a series of "new youth starting again" section with the main purpose of "pushing new people, making new plays, making new voices, and gathering new forces" will help literary and artistic young people to approach and realize their theatrical dreams.
Attached: List of 40 Years of Influence of Chinese Contemporary Small Theater Drama
40 repertoire (in order of performance time)
Drama "Absolute Signal" (1982, Beijing People's Art Theatre)
Drama "Old B Hanging on the Wall" (1984, China Youth Art Theatre)
Drama "Vulcan and Autumn Girl" (1988, China Youth Art Theatre)
Drama "The Owl in the House" (1989, Shanghai Youth Repertory Theatre)
Drama "The Left-behind Lady" (1991, Shanghai People's Art Theatre)
Drama "Boys Should Strengthen Themselves" (1992, Xiaojiao Drama Research and Development Society, Macao, China)
Drama "Emotional Exercise" (1993, Firefox Drama Society)
Drama "Transition in the Same Boat" (1994, Wuhan Drama Theatre)
Drama "Chess Man" (1995, Central Experimental Drama Theatre)
Drama "Peach Blossom at the Station" (1998, Beijing Zhongshang Xie Ruilin Economic and Trade Co., Ltd.)
Drama "Rhinoceros in Love" (1999, Meng Jinghui Studio)
Drama "Che Guevara" (2000, Beijing Shengji Dance School)
Drama "WWW.COM" (2000, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center)
Drama "Very Mahjong" (2000, Central Experimental Drama Theatre)
Peking Opera "Splashing Water in Front of the Horse" (2000, Beijing Opera House)
Drama "Impermanence - Female Hanging" (2001, Beijing People's Art Theatre)
Drama "I Love Peach Blossom" (2003, Beijing People's Art Theatre)
Kunqu Opera "Wounded Death" (2003, Shanghai Kun opera troupe)
Drama "How Much Love Can Come To Fool" (2006, Drama Hall)
Drama "I Am Not Li Bai" (2007, Allied Drama)
Experimental drama "Unfinished To Be Continued" (2007, Huang Ying Studio)
Drama "Go Away Before You Get Old" (2008, You Drama Studio)
Peking Opera "Six Memories of Floating Life" (2009, Beijing Peking Opera House)
Drama "There Is a Poison" (2010, Ryoma Society)
Drama "Hidden Marriage man and woman" (2010, Houlang Culture - Li Bonan Director Studio Zheteng Culture)
The Last Supper (2011, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, China)
Drama "Donkey Got Water" (2012, Zhilehui Zheteng Culture)
Body Drama "Aquatic" (2012, Santuoqi Troupe)
Drama "Hello, Madman! (2013, Zheteng Culture, Rao Xiaozhi Studio)
Experimental Drama "A Beautiful Day" (2013, New Youth Theatre Company)
Peking Opera "Xi Jiao" (2013, Beijing Peking Opera House)
Drama "Desperate Love" (2014, Starry Drama Village)
Children's Drama "Wood and Inch" (2015, China Children's Art Theatre)
Cantonese Opera "Farewell to the King" (2016, Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong, China)
Voice Actor Drama Samadhi (2016, Allied Drama Yichi Drama Studio)
Drama "Two Ants on the Road" (2017, Zheteng Culture)
Drama "Parents' Meeting" (2018, Wuhan Art School, Drama Research Institute, China Academy of Arts, Wenxing Culture)
Cross-border fusion stage drama "Strange Dog" (2018, To Lehui)
Drama "Spring Death" (2020, Drama Nine)
Dian Opera "Lady Macbeth" (2020, Yunnan Yuxi Dian Opera Troupe)
40 screenwriters (in alphabetical order by last name)
Wan Fang, Wei Zhong (deceased), Ma Zhongjun, Shi Hang, Feng Li, Guo Shixing, Zhu Hongxuan, Liu Shen, Liu Lu, Sun Huizhu, Su Lei, Li Longyin, Li Baoqun, Wu Tong, Di Xuran, Zou Jingzhi, Shen Hongguang, Zhang Xian, Chen Jianqiu (deceased), Lin Weiran, Zhou Shen, Zhou Guangwei, Zhao Jiajie, Hu Die, Ha Zhichao, Fei Ming, Mo Yan, Xu Di, Guo Qihong, Huang Jisu, Cao Lusheng, Gong Xiaoxiong, Sheng Heyu, Dong Tianyi, Yu Rongjun, Wen Fangyi, Xie Lihong, Lei Zhilong, Liao Yimei, Yan Quanyi
40 directors (in alphabetical order by last name)
Ding Yiteng, Wang Chong, Wang Yansong, Wang Xiangming (deceased), Wang Xiaoying, Mao Ernan, Tian Qinxin, Bai Ailian, Ren Ming, Li Bonan, Li Zhuoqun, Li Zongxi, Li Jianjun, Yang Ting,
WU Xiaojiang, HE Nian, GU Yi'an, ZHANG Hui, ZHANG Zhipeng, ZHANG Qihong, ZHANG Manjun, CHEN Yong (deceased), CHEN Mingzheng, SHAO Zehui, LIN Zhaohua, ZHOU Ke, ZHOU Long, MENG Jinghui,
Zhao Miao, Hu Weimin (deceased), Zhan Zhanzhe, Rao Xiaozhi, Ban Zan (deceased), Gu Lei, Guo Caixue, Huang Kai, Huang Ying, Huang Zuolin (deceased), Xiong Yuanwei, Yan Yongqi
40 actors (in alphabetical order by last name)
WANG Hong, WANG Zichuan, FANG Xu, YIN Zhusheng, KONG Lingmei, DENG Chao, FENG Yuanzheng, FENG Xianzhen, LÜ Liang, ZHU Lixin, REN Suxi, LIU Xiaoye, SUN Bo, LI Mei, LI Naiwen,
Li Moran (deceased), Yang Qing, Xiao Huifang (deceased), He Bing, He Yufan, Song Yining, Zhang Qiuge, Chen Minghao, Chen Jianbin, Lin Liankun (deceased), Song Yan, Song Tianshuo,
Jin Shijie, Zheng Lei, Hu Jun, Hu Qingshu (deceased), Suo Mingfang, Xia Lisheng, Xu Ang, Xi Meijuan, Guo Tao, Huang Xiangli, Peng Zijuan, Dong Wenliang, Liao Fan