As one of the most prestigious works of the famous Norwegian playwright Ibsen, the "Nala's Runaway" in "Doll's House" has become an iconic theatrical event, and the final "Nala" resolute closing sound continues to reverberate in theaters around the world, and the rest of the sound inspires all individuals who pursue freedom and independent personality. A few days ago, "Doll's House", performed by Beijing Renyi, was once again on the stage of the Capital Theatre. Beijing Renyi created this classic masterpiece last year, and after the first two rounds of performances, this time the performance is more thick and calm after polishing and precipitation.
Stills from the Beijing Renyi version of "Doll's House".
"Speaking of humanity through women"
"Doll's House" focuses on the relationship between a woman and her husband and family: the heroine Nala is simple and kind, with an enviable family and a solid life. However, many years ago, Nala's loan sharks to save her husband's life and forged signatures in a hurry became the trigger for breaking all the good, and in front of her husband, who was furious and eager to protect herself after discovering the truth, Nala finally reflected on her obedience to the will of others and her obedience to her husband, and resolutely left this "warm" "doll's house" and decided to find "responsibility for herself".
"Doll's House" was born more than 100 years ago, and to this day, it is still active on the drama stage, which is the charm of the work itself and the continuous vitality that the second-degree creators continue to give to the work. Without too many changes and deliberate deconstruction, the Beijing Renyi version of "Doll's House" takes the classic route, but it changes everyone's impression of the play, director Han Qinghe Jungle's second creation does not take the awakening of women as the only theme, but focuses on "the exploration of human nature, digging deep into the relationship and responsibility between people, people and themselves, families and society". Who are the manipulated dolls? In fact, it is not only Nala who dances on the string line in the play, her husband Haiermao is also controlled by the concept of discourse at that time, putting the honor and reputation of men above the love for his wife; compared with Nala's unreserved love, the unequal concept of the two led to the eventual breakdown of the marriage. Thus, "Nala's exodus" not only motivates women to get rid of their subordinate status, but also makes everyone think about the dignity and independence of man himself – as the French writer Simon de Beauvoir believed: everyone is the "other", and everyone should be him/herself.
As a highly dramatic work, this version of "Doll's House" handles contradictions and conflicts more low-key and smoothly, and also sees a rich sense of layering, which makes the work not only play a story, but also full of speculation. Digging deep meaning from familiar stories, in the view of drama critic Tao Qingmei, this version of "Doll's House" makes "the familiar story of 'women's liberation' more and more complicated." In the theater, what is left for the audience is not just the heavy slamming of the door behind Nala. ”
"The play is like a prism, everyone sees a different world"
In this round of performances, the actress Nala is played by the actor Sun Qian, who is well known for playing the "Aunt Qin Xi" in "The Biography of Zhen Huan". She has contributed well in a series of dramas such as "Camel Xiangzi", "Koshien", "Beijinger", "Xiaojing Hutong", "Contract Marriage" and won the Best Protagonist Award at the 3rd Drama Performance Academy Awards for her drama "Koshien". This time, Nala starred, the naïve playfulness of the first half and the strong and decisive transformation of the second half of the natural, so that the audience can clearly see the psychological logic of "Nala's departure", and has received a lot of praise. "Through continuous performance, I strengthened the inner clues that I had not taken into account before, and made the whole character more delicate." Sun Qian said.
After several rounds of performances, she has a more unique understanding of the role of Nala and the original work: "Someone once asked Ibsen whether writing "Doll's House" supported the female independence movement. Ibsen replied that he was not particularly aware of what a female independence movement was, but he was more focused on the excavation of human nature. So when I portray the character of Nala, I have always followed Ibsen's original intention - how to explore a woman's true growth feelings in such a special social and family background. In this play, I actually want to tell the audience very much, so that the audience can see clearly: how such a woman from a chaotic state, a state of thinking that she is living happily, gradually sober, and gradually realize the process of finding her true self. ”
At first glance, Nala is a naïve and obedient girl who does not understand the world, but Sun Qian breaks the external label of the character and strives for a three-dimensional understanding of the character: "In my opinion, Nala is actually an idealistic woman. She was a very intelligent and capable woman who could quietly repay her loan sharks on her own without disturbing her family. If she lives in the modern era and believes that she will be a very successful professional woman, she enlightens the current generation to rely on their own ability to stand in this society. This play is like a multi-prism, everyone sees a different world, but it is all logical and self-consistent, which is the strength of the screenwriter. ”
And Zou Jian, who played Dr. Ruan Ke in the play last year, played the role of her husband Haiermao in the play this time, and the role conversion shows the actor's skill. He played Helmao not only as a representative of male power, but more like a real person, with his own confusion and helplessness under the majestic appearance. "The author gives this character a lot of life, and I approach him on stage through constant performances." Zou Jian said.
"The charm of a classic is that everyone is constantly attracted to it, close to it, and explore it." The "Doll's House" crew said. For the audience, the realistic "Doll's House" is both a typical drama and more like everyone's life. On the stage without a single idle pen, "Doll's House" creates a real situation for the audience that breaks through time and space, and constantly tortures our pursuit of self.
Author: Peng Dan