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On August 30, 2023, I had the privilege of watching the drama "Old Fashioned Comedy" performed by Li Youbin and Shi Langya at the Beijing Renyi Cao Yu Theater. The play is refined and delicate, flat and full of brilliance, the rhythm is just right, and the story progresses layer by layer. Their tacit cooperation is breathtaking, and every look, movement and pause is textbook accurate.
The entire show lasted more than two hours, with only two characters running throughout. The huge volume of lines is like a storm, and only a seasoned actor can do it. Unlike ordinary dramas, there is no intermission in this production, and the actors only have time to change costumes in a hurry. However, with their superb acting skills and seemingly random dialogue, they conquered all the audience.
The audience either smiled and nodded, or applauded gently, laughed loudly, or thunderous applause. And those touching moments made people burst into tears.
The most exciting moment of the whole performance is when the two protagonists reminisce about the past and dance various dances popular in the Soviet Union. Li Youbin showed amazing dancing talent, and Shi Langya's beautiful dance moves are also impressive.
The image of Li Yunlong created by Li Youbin in the TV series "Bright Sword" is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. However, in this drama, he plays an old-school, loyal lover who is often not good at verbal expression and is full of dramatic tension inside. This completely different role shows his explosive acting skills.
After the performance, the audience did not want to leave for a long time, enthusiastically applauded, and Li Youbin and Shi Langya had to thank them many times. This night was truly unforgettable.
"Old Fashioned Comedy" was originally a masterpiece of the Soviet writer Albuzov in the 70s of the last century, which was first staged in the form of a drama and later made into a film. The plot takes place in a seaside nursing home, where the medical director meets a deranged woman. Although the two seemed unrelated at first, they eventually came together.
The screenwriters are admirable in their extraordinary ability, and in their seemingly nonsense lines, they construct an awe-inspiring and tear-jerking theme, namely patriotism and heroism. The heroine's son died on the Soviet-German front, and the hero's wife was also a front-line surgeon, who also died on the front line of rescuing the wounded three years later. This sanatorium is where female doctors are sacrificed. The reason why the hero does not want to return to St. Petersburg is because he has to present flowers for his deceased wife every morning.
This drama has been performed since 2019, and after many rounds of running-in and continuous improvement, it has its current version to cater to the needs of Cao Yu Grand Theater and the tastes of modern audiences. Tickets were once in short supply, and I recommended a friend to watch them, but regretted that it was difficult to buy tickets.
Art is an ideal world interconnected with aesthetic, social-emotional and cultural heritage. The degeneration of society often stems from the degradation of drama, and over-entertainment and vulgar performances will only lead to cultural troughs. Today's Chinese stage is in need of more works like "Vintage Comedy", which can evoke the audience's deep emotions and guide us to think about the true meaning of human nature and life.
At this particular historical moment, watching a theatrical production from the former Soviet Union is also deeply symbolic. Although the play does not directly address the current Russian-Ukrainian war, audiences know that the play is staged in this historical context, and this potential connection gives the whole show more meaning.
After watching "Vintage Comedy", I couldn't help but think back to my experience of visiting Russia many times. Under almost all the martyrs' monuments, there are fresh flowers. War changed everything, and even after the war ended, it remained deeply ingrained in people's hearts and became an eternal spiritual event.
This drama triggered my interest in cultural heritage and theater
Deep thinking about meaning. Theatre has never been just entertainment, it is a medium for expressing and triggering emotions through art, and it is a force that shapes social cognition and values. It resonates emotionally with the audience and makes us re-examine our hearts and lives.
There are also many memorable moments in history in terms of theatrical exchanges between Russia and China. Mei Lanfang performed in the Soviet Union in the 30s of the last century, and his superb performance attracted the attention of many Russian audiences and artists. The performance led to close encounters with three major theatrical systems, including Stanislavsky, Mei Lanfang and Brecht. This cross-cultural exchange and influence makes the art of theatre more colorful.
Chinese theater was also influenced by Russian culture, and from the 20s of the last century, China introduced the works of Russian playwright Gogol, and later gradually increased the frequency and scope of performances. The translation and performance of these Russian literary works provide Chinese audiences with more opportunities to explore the essence of different cultures, and although language can sometimes be an insurmountable barrier, emotions and humanity know no borders.
Looking back on this experience, I feel the charm of theater and the blend of culture. The performance of "Vintage Comedy" is not only a wonderful drama, but also a reflection on human nature, patriotism and heroism. This play made me re-examine the impact of war on people and the preciousness of peace. Even in moments of upheaval in the world, theatre is able to convey timeless values and lead us to think about the common destiny of humanity.
Finally, I couldn't help but think of the scene when watching "Vintage Comedy", where Li Youbin and Shi Langya handed over flowers in front of the Martyrs' Monument. At this moment, tears welled up in our eyes because it reminded us that no matter where we came from, no matter what happened in our country, we should remember with gratitude and dedication to those who sacrificed.
Before the Russian-Ukrainian war, I had been to Russia five times, and each time I saw flowers in front of the Martyrs' Monument, which was a silent mourning for the lost life and a desire for peace. May we never forget those who died for peace and freedom, and may drama continue to lead us to explore the emotions and values of the human heart, leading us to a brighter future.
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