On the evening of May 11, the drama "Camel Xiangzi" produced by Beijing Performance Co., Ltd. was staged at the Nanning Theater, which was adapted from Mr. Lao She's classic work of the same name. Reporter Liang Kaichang/photo
A set separates reality from fantasy, and the actors change roles on the spot, and the "all-male class" covers all the male and female roles...... On May 11th and 12th, the drama "Camel Xiangzi" produced by Beijing Performance Co., Ltd. was staged at the Nanning Theater, and the creative and novel interpretation on the stage brought surprises to the audience.
Mr. Lao She's masterpiece "Camel Xiangzi" is a household name and has been put on the stage many times. This version of the drama "Camel Xiangzi" gives a new life to this classic work with innovative interpretation. The work has made bold innovations in all aspects such as structure, scenery, and performance, trying to provide the audience with more new ideas for appreciating the classics.
On the stage, the protagonist Xiangzi is presented by three actors, the old, middle and young, at different stages of his life, completely outlining Xiangzi's life trajectory and psychological changes. And the elderly Xiangzi, who has gone through the vicissitudes of life, has always looked at his life from a bystander perspective in the corner of the stage, and commented sharply from time to time. This non-linear, cross-time and space-based performance technique enables the originally unspeakable, introverted and deep Xiangzi to unfold a richer inner world, providing the audience with a comprehensive and profound image of Xiangzi.
The play uses an "all-male class" to interpret all the roles in the play, and the 15 "drama spirit" actors seamlessly switch between roles such as foreign coachman, Liu Siye, and Mr. Cao from time to time, and also transform into female characters such as Tiger Girl, Xiaofuzi, and Gao Ma, interpreting the personality of each character vividly. Especially the tiger girl played by actor Zhao Zhen is straightforward, spicy, and neat, which has become the biggest highlight of the whole play.
Director Fang Xu said that many young people today are easy to empathize with Xiangzi when facing life and fate, and hopes to use "Xiangzi's story" to let the audience think more deeply about the spiritual world of people and the relationship between people and society.
Source: Guangxi Daily, page 005, May 13, 2024
Text: Sun Pengyuan
Editor-in-charge: Liang Jianqiang
Reviewer: He Yunshan
Produced by Jiangnan District Rong Media Center
Submission email: [email protected]