China Daily, January 6th. On the evening of January 5th, the "Pioneer Experience" series - the drama "Four Machines", a comedy of nine intellectuals of the People's Republic of China, was performed at the Hainan Provincial Song and Dance Theater, leading the audience to dream back to the Red Building of Peking University a hundred years ago. See how four Peking University liberal arts admissions examination papers sparked a heated debate and made three Peking University professors "quarrel" happily.
Photo courtesy of Hainan Provincial Performing Arts Group
The drama "Four Machines" is the opening work of the drama series Nine Intellectuals of the People's Republic of China. It is a wonderful story that happened a hundred years ago and deep in the Red Mansion. The "ji" in the title of "Four Machines" means paper, and it also points to opportunities and changes. The play is based on an "anecdote" that happened at Peking University in the early 20th century. It focuses on the 1919 dispute between three liberal arts professors at Peking University, Gu Hezhen, Lu Poan, and Qiu Sanye, over four entrance examination papers. , the suspense of who will go to Peking University unfolds, and the literati battle with laughter, curses, and sharp humor is hilarious.
The first version of the script of "Four Machines" was released at the end of 2021. Three professors serve as the "iron triangle" to support the drama: Gu Hezhen is not only an academic leader, but also a difficult opponent in the debate; Lu Po'an became famous at a young age, Sturm und Drang, but always confused about love issues; Qiu Sanye is honest and gentle, a pacifist who is often criticized by Lu as "either OK or OK", but also has the bottom line value of sticking to the last moment. In the spring of 2023, the polished and upgraded new version of "Four Card Machines" will premiere in Beijing. In addition to adjustments to the script, all aspects of stage design, lighting, props, costumes, etc. have also been upgraded, giving the audience a deeper sense of immersion in the performance and a more refined stage experience.
Photo courtesy of Hainan Provincial Performing Arts Group
On the night of the performance of "Four Machines" at the Hainan Provincial Song and Dance Theater, the atmosphere was warm, with the profound theme of studying in troubled times, the lines that touched people's hearts, the actors' superb acting skills, and the ingenious stage lighting. The audience's hearts fluctuated as the plot developed, and they applauded and laughed continuously. Audiences expressed that the script has a profound theme and a novel form of expression. Three professors and four papers make new and old concepts compete around "why universities exist", which makes people excited.
It is reported that "Four Machines" received recognition from many audiences upon its release in May 2019 and became a dark horse in the annual original drama production. It has been performed nearly 100 times across the country, with footprints in Beijing, Suzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, etc. land. Because of its sincere expression and profound thinking, it won the "Drama China" 2019 Best Drama Script, the Best Annual Small Theater Play at the 4th Chinese Drama Festival, the play selected for Damai's 2020 High-Scoring Drama List, and the 2021 One Drama Grand Prize for Best Small Theater Play of the Year and many other awards.
Photo courtesy of Hainan Performing Arts Group
The relevant person in charge of Hainan Performing Arts Group said that the drama "Four Machines" is the first major drama performed by the group in the beginning of 2024. It will be performed in Hainan Province on the evening of January 5th to 6th. Two performances in the theater. Later, on January 19, the drama "Thunderstorm" by Tianjin People's Art Theater will also be performed at the Provincial Song and Dance Theater. We hope that more Hainan audiences who like drama will come to the theater and experience the charm of drama art. In the future, the Hainan Provincial Performing Arts Group will continue to carefully build the brand of "Extraordinary Free Trade Port Arts - Hainan Exhibition of High-quality Chinese and Foreign Stage Arts", introduce more excellent domestic and foreign plays, and launch more acclaimed and popular masterpieces, so that the people of Hainan can have more The new choice of multi-cultural consumption has made going to watch theater in Hainan a new cultural consumption trend, creating a new "cultural business card" for the Hainan Free Trade Port, truly making "the Free Trade Port extraordinary in art, and a beautiful day full of drama."
(China Daily Hainan Reporter Station Chen Bowen)
