This is an exploration and remembrance across time and space. More than tens of thousands of precious archives of the early days of the Communist Party of China have gone through the long years of the domestic revolutionary war, the War of Resistance Against Japan, and the War of Liberation. In the bloody Shanghai Beach, who guards them intact?
The original musical "Loyalty" was staged at the Shangyin Opera House from October 8 to 10, telling the story of Zhang Duyi, Chen Weiren, Han Huiying, Chen Laisheng and other underground workers relaying to guard the "Central Library" and completing their glorious mission, which is the first time to show this legendary chapter in the history of the CCP's hidden front struggle in the form of a musical.
"Loyalty" rehearsal photo
During the "Eleventh" holiday, the crew repeatedly ran into each other in the rehearsal hall and kept improving. In the performance lineup, there are Yu Yueyue, Xia Zhenkai, Wang Yixi, Hu Chaozheng and other Shangyin alumni who are active on the stage of the musical, as well as teachers and students such as Ma Liang, Fang Shujian, and Ding Ting. Fang Shujian and Hu Chaozheng are known by many people through "Sound into People's Hearts".
Liao Changyong, President of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, on "Loyalty"
Liao Changyong, a baritone singer and dean of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, went to the theater to watch the rehearsal, he said: "There are many 'post-90s' and 'post-00s' actors in 'Loyalty', and I hope that children can remember these unsung heroes and let more people know them in the form of musicals." They were once a group of young people with vitality, blood, ideals, and faith. I also hope that we can continue to incubate the repertoire, cultivate new talents, and contribute to the development of Chinese musical theater. ”
Musical actress Yu Yueyue, a 2008 graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, played "Han Aizhen," an early member of the Communist Party of China, in "Loyalty." Yu Yueyue said: "The figure of the forerunner is always the best example, and the people of my generation will certainly live up to Shaohua." I look forward to more young people entering the theater to feel the power of faith. ”
"Loyalty" composer and music director An Dong, producer Liu Jing, director Zhang Xuanhao, screenwriter Lu Chaoyun, choreographer Li Qi, multimedia director Cheng Yuhuai, etc., all from Shangyin.
An Dong, head of the Department of Music and Drama at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, introduced: "The Department of Music and Drama of Shanghai Conservatory of Music has a history of nearly 20 years, and the close integration of teaching and market has witnessed and promoted the development of Chinese musical theater, and the students trained by Shangyin have also become the backbone of the entire Chinese musical theater market. Musicals are a young, market-oriented genre, and we want to make a musical that can be sung. ”
Multimedia images are also a major attraction of "Loyalty". Cheng Yuhuai said: "We organically integrate multimedia and various visual elements of the stage to create multiple visual space landscapes, which not only show the characteristics of the times, but also use color, texture and light and shadow to hint at changes in space and character psychology. ”
"Loyalty" is in rehearsal
The musical also invited director Zhong Hao, lyricist Gan Shijia, stage artists Ren Dongsheng and Dong Guiying, and sound engineer Jin Shaogang to join. Ren Dongsheng has designed lighting and choreography for many works such as the dance drama "The Eternal Electric Wave". "'Loyalty' presents a simple and simple stage vision. The images and pictures pursue a simple texture, like old photographs recording the imprints of the revolutionaries of that era. The lighting uses simple tones and strong rhythms to outline the love and hate of the characters. ”
In the centenary of the founding of the Party, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music continued to launch red plays in the mode of artistic creation-performance-research teaching. In July this year, "Loyalty" was performed at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Oriental Meigu Arts Festival, and then selected for the second national outstanding musical theater exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Liu Jing, producer of "Loyalty" and secretary of the party branch of the Department of Music and Drama, told reporters that the "Loyalty" crew set up a temporary party branch, and during the rehearsal process, two students solemnly submitted applications to join the party.
Jiang Zechen, an undergraduate student of the Department of Music and Drama of the Class of 2019, said: "During the rehearsal process, I followed the footsteps of my ancestors, learned about the magnificent and moving history step by step, was deeply moved, and solemnly submitted my application to the party organization to join the party. I hope to continue to make progress and contribute my modest efforts to the cause of literature and art in the motherland. ”
A member of the crew of "Loyalty"
"Loyalty" is used by the State Archives Bureau and the Central Archives as the consultant unit, guided by the Shanghai Municipal Education and Health Work Party Committee, the Municipal Education Commission and the Shanghai Municipal Archives Bureau (Museum), and jointly produced by Shangyin and Fengxian District. The Shanghai Municipal Archives Bureau (Museum) also presented a small archive exhibition with the theme of "'No. 1 Secret' in the Archives" for the performance, so that the audience can learn more about this red mark that belongs to the glorious city of Shanghai.
Column Editor-in-Chief: Shi Chenlu Text Editor: Shi Chenlu Image Editor: Shao Jing
Source: Author: Wu Tong