Modern Express News (Reporter Li Ming) What is the story of the last male northern white rhino sultan in the world? On the evening of March 24, the children's drama "Sultan's Rhinoceros Horn" was unveiled in the small theater unit of the Zijin Culture and Art Festival (the second session), interpreting the story of Sudan, leading the audience and children to explore the connection between animal life and self, and develop awe and respect for life.
The play is adapted from the picture book of the same name, which won the first prize of the 7th "Feng Zikai Children's Picture Book Award", and tells the legendary story of the last male northern white rhino sultan in the world. Every rhinoceros is the king of its own territory, and the rhino horn is their crown; And the Sultan's greatest sorrow is the rhino horn, which symbolizes his status and pride, and cannot coexist with his body intact.
Why did the Sultan experience three broken horns in his life? What meaningful thing happened to the Sultan in his life? As the country's first children's drama with the theme of life education, "Sultan's Rhinoceros Horn" leads the audience into the story of Sudan.
Mother's love and protection for Sudan, Sultan's bond to Mom, Sultan and Sido's mutual companionship, breeder's care and reluctance to Sultan... On the stage, the actors' vivid interpretations made the Sultan "live" on the stage, intuitively showing the touching family affection and friendship.
"When I first saw the picture book 'Sultan's Horns', I was touched by the delicate emotions in it." The screenwriter and director Yang Weilu has been creating children's dramas with environmental protection themes. She told the Modern Express reporter, "I hope that through this play, more children can know that in the earth we live in, there are many animal lives that are connected to us and need to be paid attention to and protected." ”
"Children need drama, they need theater, but they need a closer, more immersive environment." In Yang Weilu's view, children can enjoy a lot of big IP plays in the big theater, but in fact, what they need more is a drama that is close to the heart, has the same perspective as them, and stands on the child's position to tell the story, and the small theater provides this kind of close space, so that the children are more receptive and therefore more willing to believe the stories in the play.
Yang Weilu believes that children's drama has the ability to inspire and awaken children through simple things, "We can exert such energy in a small theater." ”
(Photo courtesy of the eventor)