The timeless world of Dream of the Red Chamber, filled with poetic appeal and terrible love, has been reimagined for the phase in the original musical The Story of the Stone.
Inspired by the 18th-century literary masterpiece, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, the show offers a modern analysis of the fluctuate of a stylish family, while remaining real to the novels psychological core.
Dream of the Red Chamber is universal, stated Gao Ruijia, director of the musical.
I do not believe its as hard to understand as people think.
The director believes the challenge lies in the truth that everyone views it differently, however the beauty is that everybody can feel something from it.
Cultures may vary, however individuals are people, Chinese or foreign.
If we can enhance those emotions and help people feel them, theyll also come to comprehend the cultural depth behind them, he said.The musical is distinguished the point of view of Jia Baoyu, the novels main character.
A naughty stone, bewitched by the mortal world, chooses to journey through it, Gao explained.
It takes sanctuary in Baoyus body and experiences the world through his eyes.
Blending Chinese opera and musical theaterFor Zhang Ze, the musical comedy actor ahead role of Jia Baoyu, drawing from his thespian roots was key.
Raised in a conventional Chinese opera environment, with his mom being a Yu Opera artist, Zhang naturally incorporated operatic elements into his role.
There are a great deal of traditional opera components in this musical, Zhang said.
Since we have actually picked to bring in these conventional motions, its important that we do them well.
He included that his approach to Baoyus character obtains from operas representation of the function.
In traditional Chinese opera, Baoyu is represented as a female function type, or Huadan.
In this musical, I strive to include a womanly perspective.
Theres a fluid, water-like softness in the body language.
Ive searched for the fragile and tender side of him that assists the audience empathize with him, said the actor.Innovative stage designThe productions stage style likewise shows a balance in between tradition and development.
Gao described the set as abstract and poetic, focused around the concept of trace.
Think of a drop of water falling into a still pond.
It ripples external and then relaxes, but that drop has left its mark, he stated.
The stage style opens with this images.
The phase revolves in a circle, matching the storys ending, when you know your fate, and you return to where you began, would you choose to begin once again? To highlight significant stress, Gao included Western-style orchestration.
Musical theater requires dispute, he noted.
When the storys feelings heighten, we use more symphonic, Western aspects to improve the color and drama.
A bridge to young and worldwide audiencesBeyond capturing the essence of Dream of the Red Chamber, the creative team wants to get in touch with younger and global audiences.
I feel a peaceful confidence about this program, Zhang said.
I think its visual style, phase style, motion and staging will appeal to worldwide audiences.
Individuals all over are drawn to beauty.
Through these connections, the audiences would be willing to check out how to inform Dream of the Red Chamber through musical theater, he added.
Its a win-win: we promote both the story and the art form.
The director echoed this sentiment, noting that The Story of the Stone is simply the beginning.
Honestly, I feel really lucky to be able to work on Dream of the Red Chamber, stated Gao.
Looking to the future, I think we have numerous other traditional Chinese stories that are just as appropriate for musical adjustment.
I hope to check out more of them on stage.
Executive manufacturer: Zhang JingwenProducer: Yang ShaDirector: Guo MeipingCinematographer: Chang RuixiangCover image designer: Yu Peng