On March 19, the Beijing People's Art Theater's first newly scheduled work in 2024, Molière's comedy masterpiece "The Stingy", held a media meeting. Directors Lin Cong and Yang Jiayin, actors Fu Jia, Wang Jiajun, Li Po and other main creatives collectively appeared to interpret the new look of this "old" story. The play will be on the stage of Beijing International Drama Center Cao Yu Theater on April 19.
A group photo of all the main creators Photography/Li Chunguang
"The Stingy Man" is a work by the French comedy master Molière in his later years. In 1668, the year the play was released, it was first performed in France and received an enthusiastic response. It was later recognized as the best example of classical character comedy. Abagon, one of the "Four Misers" in the world literary masterpiece (the other three being Shylock, Grandet, and Plyushkin), comes from this play. Molière himself also played this role during his lifetime.
Performance poster
"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The performance of this work is not only a return and exploration of classic works, but also has important significance for international cultural exchanges and mutual learning." Feng Yuanzheng, director of the Beijing People's Art Institute, said during the meeting It was said at the meeting that the audience can learn about French culture and experience the exchange and dialogue between the two countries’ drama cultures. "At the same time, this rehearsal focuses on interpreting classical stories with current thoughts and perspectives, and also reflects the enduring vitality of classic works."
Beijing People's Art Director Feng Yuanzheng
According to reports, as a world-renowned foreign classic , "The Stingy Man" also has a deep connection with Beijing People's Art Theatre. In 1959, as one of the plays presented as a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the play made its debut on the People's Art Stage. In 1980, as one of the earliest foreign plays restored by the Beijing People's Art Theater after the reform and opening up, the play once again appeared at the Capital Theater. Both versions of "The Stingy Man" are directed by director Xia Chun, starring Tian Chong and Dong Xingji (A and B roles) as Abagong, and well-known performances such as Ying Ruocheng, Zhu Xu, Di Xin, Han Shanxu, Wu Guiling, and Yang Lixin The artists have all played roles in the play.
Stills from the 1959 performance of "The Stingy Man" by Beijing People's Arts. Pictures from Beijing People's Art Official Website.
Stills from the 1980 performance of "The Stingy Man" from Beijing People's Art. Pictures from Beijing People's Art Official Website.
"The Stingy Man" is one of the earliest performances in the history of the People's Arts. One of the most popular Western plays, it is also a milestone in the theater’s exploration of the nationalization of Chinese drama. Founder Jiao Juyin once mentioned in the "Explanation on the Theater's 12-Year Development Plan (Draft)" that "Performing Chinese and foreign classical repertoire is a kind of 'culture' in itself. It depends on how we understand these global 'treasures'. How to express and how to appreciate. Therefore, whether we can perform these works and how we perform them is a reflection of our 'cultural' level."
This new version of "The Stingy Man" is co-directed by director Lin Cong and young actor and director Yang Jiayin. They defined this work as an "abnormal comedy" - the creators not only re-dramatized the original work, added a layer of dramatic time and space, but also boldly explored 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. 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.
Director Lin Cong
"Historically, Molière once led a troupe to tour around France for 13 years. Inspired by his experience, we set the storyline this time to a troupe driving a pony carriage, We came to a small town and performed a play called "The Stingy Man". While watching the play, the audience could also experience the ancient flavor of an old European theater troupe," Lin Cong said with a smile.
"Although this is an ancient story, a script written more than three hundred years ago, the performance is for people today, and the ideas conveyed are what we want to express at the moment."Yang Jiayin said, "In fact, during last year's script reading, we were looking for a wonderful chemical reaction between the audience and the audience, both off and on stage. This time we will make full use of the theater space and maximize the extendibility of the stage. "
Director Yang Jiayin
The creative team of this play has both youthful vitality and strength: among the fourteen actors, there are both familiar actors and fresh faces. Fu Jia, who plays Abagong, is a capable actor loved by the audience Actor, in the past, he has left a deep impression on the audience with his effortless and joyful performance style in dramas such as "White Deer Plain", "Birdman" and "Home" and many film and television works such as "The Legend of Chu Qiao" and "Celebrating More Than Years". Impression. How will he perform the classic scene of Abagong looking for the money box this time? There is no doubt that people are full of expectations.
Fu Jia will play Abagong in the play this time.
And 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. Some have already made their mark on the human art stage and have harvested a number of representative works; some have just entered the academy, New talents on the stage with a promising future. “Encourage young people to move forward boldly. "The directors said, "Only by relaxing and creating freely and opening up their imagination can they add comedy. "
