Lai Shengchuan joined hands with Liu Xiaoyi to create a new "Whale Library". Photo by Chinanews reporter Yin Liqin
Chinanews.com, Shanghai News, April 24 (Reporter Yin Liqin) On April 24, Lai Shengchuan's fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama "Whale Library" held a press conference at the Shanghai Theater, Chinese dramatist, artistic director of the Shanghai Theater, and screenwriter Lai Shengchuan, artistic director of "Whale Library" Luan Lan, director of "Whale Library" Liu Xiaoyi and representatives of the actors of "Whale Library" attended the press conference to perform fragments and share the interesting facts behind this new creation, so as to warm up for the upcoming performance. This is a beautiful gift from theater people to the next generation.
Since the performance of "Blue Horse" at the Shanghai Theater in 2016, the bedside story of the Lai family has captured the hearts of many children and parents, a fantasy world full of innocence and philosophy, and conveys Lai Shengchuan's care for children in interesting stories. In 2018, Lai Shengchuan co-created "Whale Library" with his daughter Lai Xianyun and granddaughter Oddiyana, which is also derived from Lai Shengchuan's improvised bedside story for his daughters.
In 2024, Lai Shengchuan's exclusive theater-Shanghai Theater and young director Liu Xiaoyi will start a new production of "Whale Library", which will experience an unprecedented theatrical adventure with children and adults. "The Whale Library" tells a story of knowledge and adventure, where Mi'er, a little girl who loves to read, walks into the belly of a big whale and discovers that it is actually a library. Later, Mi'er will be full of courage and start the journey to save the "Whale Library" with everyone. Lai Shengchuan, a world-renowned Chinese dramatist, and the talented young director Liu Xiaoyi have joined hands to jointly launch this children's parent-child drama full of childlike fun and creativity, which has aroused infinite expectations from the audience. Lai Shengchuan once said: "Some people may think that children's drama scripts are easy to write and direct, which seriously underestimates children. I myself have two daughters, and when they grow up, like any little child in a family, they ask their dad to tell them stories. I often improvise and tell them an infinitely long story. This relay storytelling is a process of 'discovery', discovering what I have in my heart for them, discovering what they really want to hear. I found that what they want to hear and see is the most sincere thing, the most innocent feelings, and the most unconcealed imagination. As leaders in the theater industry, Lai Shengchuan and Liu Xiaoyi are not only committed to creating high-quality original plays, but also set their sights on the creative cultivation of future children. They hope that through the creation of parent-child dramas, they can go deep into the inner world of children, use drama to inject nutrients into the next generation, and nourish them with creative factors. When children are immersed in the work "Whale Library", they will learn about this rich and diverse world through the eyes of theater people with profound artistic attainments, such as Lai Shengchuan and Liu Xiaoyi, and draw the power of knowledge and courage from it. For parents, watching "Whale Library" is also a baptism of the soul, they can enjoy the drama at the same time, but also deeply understand the true meaning of love, those about parent-child relationship and family education concepts, will be imperceptibly transmitted to every audience in the interpretation of the drama.
At the press conference of "Whale Library", the crew brought two highlights of the songs in the play, and it is reported that these two songs are new tracks written by the main creative team during the new production. And director Lai Shengchuan, who has always been regarded as a "music stubborn", as the screenwriter of the play, also wrote a new song for him this time. How music will be combined with fairytale-like amusement can only be seen in the theater.
"Whale Library" is the second fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama produced by the theater in 2018, and the cast is also very strong, the actors of the troupe have been honed for eight years, and after experiencing difficult plays such as "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring", "Treasure Island Village", "Dream Like a Dream", they still do not forget their original intention to interpret the parent-child drama "Whale Library", hoping to bring the purest and true things of the drama to the audience. This time, the main creative team of the new production of "Whale Library" in 2024 has joined by new partners, and invited young director Liu Xiaoyi to serve as the director, who will inject new vitality into "Whale Library" together with his team "Touch Lab". In terms of production, Lai Shengchuan's exclusive theater - Shang Theater creates a visual feast with its ingenuity. In the design of costumes and props, "Whale Library" not only continues its consistent cartoon style, but also adds many new ideas and modern fashion elements, making the overall presentation effect glow with a new brilliance. For example, the monkey characters in the "Monkey Kingdom" will wear exaggerated and unique "hip-hop" style costumes, which not only match the characteristics of their characters, but also highlight the trendy and bold creative concept. This attempt will dazzle the audience and give the characters in the play more distinct personality traits. More fully upgraded production ingenuity will be discovered by the audience in the theater.
In the fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama of Lai Shengchuan in the Shanghai Theater, there is also a special link design - after the screening of "little actor selection", there will be batches of children who love drama and stage on the professional stage and perform on the same stage with the actors. This time, "Whale Library" will also open the selection of young actors at the main venue of the Shanghai Theater and multiple sub-venues, please pay attention to specific information.
"Whale Library" will be staged in the Shanghai Theater on June 1st Children's Play, and before that, it will be performed in Huichang Drama Town during the May Day holiday. Huichang is Lai Shengchuan's hometown, and it had a grand opening in January this year. As early as the opening of the Huichang Drama Season, Liu Xiaoyi's "Touch Laboratory" had already performed in Huichang as a team of "Small Town Travel", and felt the enthusiasm of the audience in Huichang Drama Town in advance. "Small Town Travel" is a performance platform that is open for recruitment in Huichang Drama Town throughout the year. Performing artists from all over the world will bring wonderful free performances to visitors in the outdoor performance space of Huichang Drama Town. Any corner of heaven and earth can become a stage for artists to express themselves. Under the hundred-year-old banyan tree, under the grapevine, by the three rivers, on the stage, the square, and the city wall...... Everywhere is a stage for artists to perform in a beautiful way. The people of the theater town are also called "the best audience" by the artists who have been there, and the people there retain the purest curiosity about everything, whether adults or children, they will be deeply immersed in the performance, giving the performers the most real love. Séverine BRUNIAU of the French Angel Nail Theatre Company remembers the audience in Huichang as "like newborns curious about the world"; Eros, an artist from Italy, says: "There was a kind and friendly audience, all very hospitable, all smiling and welcoming me, and friendly to us who came all the way from Italy and didn't speak Chinese. "This time, the first stop of the brand-new "Whale Library" is about to sail to Huichang Drama Town, whether it is the Shanghai Theater Troupe or the Touch Lab, they are very much looking forward to what new vitality and creativity this work will bring to Huichang, a land full of dreams.
From May 1st to 5th, Lai Shengchuan, together with Liu Xiaoyi and his Touch Lab, will take the new fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama "Whale Library" to Huichang Drama Town, and return to the "base camp" from May 31st to June 2nd, bringing knowledge and courage to children everywhere. Adults and children are welcome to walk into the theater together to experience this touching story. (ENDS)
Editor: Yin Liqin