China News Service, Beijing, March 19 (Reporter Gao Kai) On the 19th, Beijing People's Art Festival's first newly scheduled work in 2024 - Molière's comedy masterpiece "The Stingy Man" held a media meeting. Directors Lin Cong and Yang Jiayin , actors Fu Jia, Wang Jiajun, Li Po, Xu Baixiao and other main creatives collectively appeared to interpret a new look of this "old" story.
Beijing People's Art Theater's new drama "The Stingy Man" is officially released. Photo courtesy of Beijing People’s Arts
Beijing People’s Arts Dean Feng Yuanzheng and Vice Dean Qin Xinchun attended the media meeting together.
"The Miser" is a masterpiece by the French comedy master Molière. It was first performed in France in 1668 and received an enthusiastic response. The play uses comedy to reveal human nature and creates "Abagon", a classic miser image in the history of comedy, allowing audiences around the world to appreciate the charm and influence of French classical comedy.
As a world-renowned foreign classic, "The Stingy Man" also has a deep connection with Beijing People's Art Theatre. In 1959, the play appeared on the People's Art Stage and was staged again in the 1980s.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The performance of this work is considered not only a return and exploration of classic works, but also of great significance for international cultural exchanges and mutual learning. This rehearsal focused on interpreting classical stories with current thoughts and perspectives, and also reflected the enduring vitality of classic works.
This version of "The Stingy Man" is directed by Lin Cong, the director of works such as "My Poor Marat" and "Farewell My Concubine", as well as young actors who have performed well in plays such as "Tea House" and "Under the Red Flag". Director Yang Jiayin co-directed. They defined this work as an "abnormal comedy" - the creators not only created a new dramatic structure for the original work, added a layer of dramatic time and space, but also made bold explorations in the presentation method. The play is based on a rural theater troupe performing a play, and uses the chaotic "accidents" and ridiculous "mistakes" during the performance to create comic effects. In addition, the character's own personality has a sense of humor. Make the whole work more interesting.
According to reports, the play uses caravans, wandering troupes and other forms, which not only organically combines with the content of the work, but also restores the performance form of the author Molière's era. "Molière once led a wandering theater troupe to perform for more than ten years." While watching the show, the audience can feel the ancient flavor of an old European theater troupe. "Although this is an ancient story, it is performed for people today, so the ideas we convey are what we want to express at the moment." said the director.
Beijing People's Art Theater's new drama "The Stingy Man" is officially released. Photo by Li Chunguang
There are fourteen actors in the play, including familiar figures to the audience and fresh faces. Among them, Fu Jia, who plays Abagong, is a powerful actor familiar and loved by the audience. He has appeared in many film and television works such as "White Deer Plain", "Birdman" and "Home", as well as in many film and television works such as "The Legend of Chu Qiao" and "Celebrating More Than Years". All left a deep impression on the audience. Young actors such as Wang Jiajun, Li Po, Xu Baixiao, Li Zirui, Zhang Xinming, Zhao Zedong, Hu Xinyi, Yang Yi, Chen Hongxu, Li Jintao, Guo Wei, Wei Jiacheng, Zhang Chuhan and other young actors have already made their mark on the human art stage and gained a number of awards. Representative works; some are newcomers to the stage who have just been admitted to the hospital and have a promising future. "Encourage young people to move forward boldly." The directors said that they hope that actors can create freely and boldly realize many ideas.
It is reported that this play will be on the stage of Beijing International Drama Center Cao Yu Theater on April 19. (End)
[Editor: Chen Haifeng]
