"'Dream of the Red Chamber' is not tired of watching, knows to perform in Wanping, and specially buys tickets to see it." Aunt Nguyen, 73, told reporters excitedly. Three groups of famous rookies on the stage took turns to perform "Bao Dai", and the theater fans competed to punch in next to the Q version of "Dream of the Red Chamber" character modeling... The resident performance of shanghai Yue Theatre's classic Yue opera "Dream of the Red Chamber" at Wanping Theatre kicked off with a full sense of atmosphere. For old opera fans, this is a long-awaited opera feast, and for new audiences, it is a great opportunity to enter the classics. The first round of 20 performances of "Dream of the Red Chamber" will last until February 27 next year, covering many golden periods such as this year's National Day file to next year's Spring Festival file. Shanghai opera people are adding an exclusive touch to Traditional Chinese culture to Shanghai's efforts to build Asia's performing arts capital, and using their own ways to boost the city's soft power development.
Three generations of actors work together to make the classic shine again
"Sister Lin fell from the sky, like a light cloud just out of the sky." The familiar classic singing section sounded again last night, and choosing a Yue opera repertoire suitable for the resident performance model, "Dream of the Red Chamber" is undoubtedly the best choice, because of its deep audience base and enduring influence. Since its premiere on the Shanghai Gong stage in 1958, this classic has begun more than 60 years of legendary and splendid opera art, leaving its rhyme and memory not only in The north and south of China and around the world. So far, the Yue opera "Dream of the Red Chamber" is one of the opera plays with the most performances and the largest cumulative box office in China.
Tonight's performance lineup is quite luxurious, Qian Huili, Yang Tingna, Wang Wanna master and apprentice work together to perform Jia Baoyu, Shan Yangping, Wang Zhiping, Li Xudan, three "Wang Pai" descendants will be Lin Sister's beautiful and mournful life to the fullest. Having starred in more than a thousand performances of "Dream of the Red Chamber", contemporary Yue opera performance artist Qian Huili is the best "brother" in the hearts of many opera fans. Last night she took the stage to bring a fold of "Crying Spirit", coincidentally, this is also the first play she debuted on stage. "I learned a lot from Xu Yulan's understanding of the role and the experience of acting. Today's young actors have fewer opportunities to play the same role than before. Resident performances can promote the continuous tempering and improvement of actors. I believe that the repertoire can also be further improved on the artistic level through the form of resident performances. ”
Contemporary Yue opera performance artist, "Wang Pai" descendant Wang Zhiping invariably pointed out the significance of resident performances for the promotion of Yue opera: "Performing in a relatively fixed theater is the dream of our generations of Yue opera people, and resident performances have greatly increased the opportunities for young people to perform, hoping to broaden the market of Yue opera and the audience of the audience." ”
As one of the youngest "Jia Baoyu" in this residency, Wang Wanna will perform four consecutive performances, which is undoubtedly a new challenge for young actors. "It's not hard for actors to get on stage, it's hardest every time you find a new feeling on stage. Only by rolling more on the stage and meeting the audience more can we ensure that the performance is always new. She told reporters.
"We hope to make watching classics into a trend through resident performances," Liang Hongjun, director of Shanghai Yue Theatre, told reporters: "Let resident performances become an important way to inherit and disseminate Yue opera, and let entering the theater become a way of life that more people choose." ”
The theater extends the artistic experience and immerses itself in classical charm
With the opening of the resident performance at the Wanping Theater, the theater was also newly decorated, turning into a too illusory realm in "Dream of the Red Chamber", extending the audience's artistic experience from the stage to the full range. From the main entrance into the hall on the first floor, the pink sea of flowers and the swirling cloud and mist mood come to the face, making people feel as if they are in the dreamlike illusion of "Dream of the Red Chamber". The cloakroom of the wooden mortise structure is surrounded by red draperies, red lanterns are hung, and the honor guards on the stage are lined up to look simple and majestic. The water bar counter was decorated with a cornice structure in the Ming and Qing dynasty architectural style, an ancient merchant shop.
The ground in the east area of the first floor is scattered with petals falling from the stars, and the installations such as peach blossom trees, mountain stones, and wooden chairs reproduce the classic atmosphere of Bao Dai's reading west wing. With scenes such as the small bridge in the corner and the flowing water, it has become a popular place for the audience to punch in and take souvenirs. Stepping up the iconic spiral staircase of Wanping Theater, looking back at the ubiquitous scene of "Dream of the Red Chamber", it is appropriately integrated with the folding fan elements of the theater, and everywhere takes care of the timeless theme of "Searching for Heaven and Earth, The Agreement of Hongmeng's Initial Opening".
Fans who are still interested in watching the performance can also take this elegant feeling home, and the cultural and creative products released in conjunction with the resident performance are a major highlight. China Post specially printed a limited edition postcard for the performance, and the folding fans, bookmarks, notebooks, newspaper pillows, document bags, tea cups and so on designed according to "Dream of the Red Chamber" are very popular. In order to let the fans have a comprehensive understanding of the resident performance, the interactive large screen in the third floor hall scrolls with wonderful tidbits of the performance and the interviews of the main actors, and the costume experience area on the side can also make you addicted. It is reported that from October 1 to 2, the Wanping Theater will be open to a wide audience for free, and the Wanping Theater will also launch a pop-up activity during the event.
Author: Wang Xiaoli
Photo: Ye Chenliang photo, courtesy of the organizer
Editor: Guo Chaohao