This week, Lai Shengchuan, a fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama "The Whale Library" held a press conference at the Shanghai Theater. Chinese dramatist, Shanghai Theater Artistic Director, "Whale Library" screenwriter Lai Shengchuan, "Whale Library" artistic director Luan Lan, "Whale Library" "Library" director Liu Xiaoyi and "Whale Library" actor representatives attended the press conference, performing excerpts and sharing interesting stories behind this new creation to warm up for the upcoming performance.
From "Blue Horse" to "Whale Library", from "Papa Lai" to "Grandpa Lai", director Lai Shengchuan's bedside stories are now on the stage to share with more children and parents. During the interview, Teacher Lai also shared his “little secrets” for getting along with children.
Since "Blue Horse" was performed in the theater in 2016, Lai's bedside stories have captured the hearts of many children and parents. The fantasy world full of innocence and philosophy conveys Lai Shengchuan's love for children in interesting stories. care. In 2018, Lai Shengchuan co-created "Whale Library" with his daughter Lai Xianyun and granddaughter Oddiyana. It also came from the bedside stories that Lai Shengchuan improvised for his daughters. He told it night after night, level by level, and I don't know why. When I woke up, the story talked about the next generation of daughters.
In 2024, Lai Shengchuan's exclusive theater-Shanghai Theater and young director Liu Xiaoyi will launch a new production of "Whale Library", where children and adults will experience an unprecedented theater adventure. "The Whale Library" tells a story about knowledge and adventure. Mi'er, a little girl who loves to read, walked into the belly of a big whale and discovered that it was actually a library. Later, with full courage, Mil will embark on a journey to save the "Whale Library" with everyone.
Lai Shengchuan, a world-renowned Chinese dramatist, worked hand in hand with the talented young director Liu Xiaoyi to jointly launch this children's parent-child drama full of childlike fun and creativity, which aroused unlimited expectations from the audience.
Lai Shengchuan once said:
"Some people may think that children's drama scripts are easy to write and direct, which seriously underestimates children. I have two daughters myself. When they were growing up, they were like children in any family. , I would ask my father to tell them stories. I would often tell them an infinitely long story in an impromptu way. This relay-style storytelling is a process of 'discovery', and I find that there is something in my heart. What do you want to give them, and find out what they really want to hear. I found that what they want to hear and see is the most sincere things, the purest feelings, and the most unconcealed imagination."
Lai Shengchuan and Liu Xiaoyi. Their drama concepts coincide with each other. As leaders in the drama industry, they are not only committed to creating high-quality original plays, but also set their sights on cultivating drama creativity for children in the future. They hope to penetrate into the inner world of children through the creation of parent-child dramas, use dramas to inject nutrients into the next generation, and nourish them with creative factors.
When children are immersed in the work "Whale Library", they will understand this rich and diverse world through the eyes of dramatists with profound artistic attainments such as Lai Shengchuan and Liu Xiaoyi, and draw the power of knowledge and courage from it. For parents, watching "Whale Library" is also a baptism of the soul. While enjoying the drama, they can also deeply understand the true meaning of love. The concepts about parent-child relationship and family education will be reflected in the drama. The performance is subtly conveyed to every audience.
At the "Whale Library" press conference, the crew brought two highlights of the songs in the play. It is reported that these two songs are new songs written by the creative team during this new production. Director Lai Shengchuan, who has always been considered a "music geek", as the play's screenwriter, also composed a new song for it this time. How the music will be combined with the fairy tale in a funny way, you must come to the theater to see its wonderful presentation.
"The Whale Library" is the second fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama produced by Shanghai Theater Company in 2018. The cast this time is also very strong. After eight years of training, the actors of Shanghai Theater Company have experienced "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring" and "Treasure Island Village". After performing difficult dramas such as "Like a Dream", he still retains his original intention to perform the parent-child drama "Whale Library" with strength, hoping to bring the purest and authentic things of drama to the audience. This time, the creative team of "Whale Library", which will be newly produced in 2024, has new partners to join, and has invited young director Liu Xiaoyi to serve as the director. Together with his team "Touch Laboratory", he will inject new ideas into "Whale Library" vitality. In terms of
production, Lai Shengchuan's exclusive theater-Shanghai Theater uses its ingenious techniques to create a visual feast. The design of the costumes and props of "Whale Library" not only continues its consistent cartoon style, but also incorporates many novel creative and modern fashion elements, giving the overall presentation a new brilliance. Take the monkey characters in the "Monkey Kingdom" in the play as an example. They will wear exaggerated and unique "hip-hop" style costumes, which not only conforms to their character characteristics, but also demonstrates the trendy and bold creative concepts. This attempt will dazzle the audience and give the characters in the play more distinctive personality traits. More comprehensively upgraded production ingenuity will be discovered by the audience when they enter the theater.
"Whale Library" will be performed in the theater on Children's Day, and before that, it will perform in Huichang Drama Town during the May Day holiday. Huichang is Lai Shengchuan’s hometown, and it had a grand opening in January this year. As early as the opening of the Huichang Theater Season 1, Liu Xiaoyi's "Touch Laboratory" had already gone to Huichang to perform as a "Town Tour" team, and felt the enthusiasm of the audience in Huichang Theater Town in advance.
"Town Tour" is a performance platform open to recruitment all year round in Huichang Drama Town. Performing artists from all over the world will bring wonderful free performances to visitors in the outdoor performance space of Huichang Theater Town.
Any corner in the world can become a stage for artists to show themselves. Under the century-old banyan tree, under the grapevines, by the Three Rivers, on the stage, in the square, on the city wall...everywhere is a beautiful performance stage for artists. The people in the theater town are also called the "best audience" by artists who have been there. People there have the purest curiosity about everything. Both adults and children will be deeply immersed in the performance. Give the performers the truest love. Séverine Bruniau from France’s Angel Patch Theater Company impressed the audience in Huichang as “like newborns who are curious about the world”; artist Eros from Italy said: “There are kind and friendly audiences here, they are all very hospitable and they all smile. "We are very friendly to those of us who come all the way from Italy and don't speak Chinese."
This time, the first stop of the brand new "Whale Library" will be to the theater town of Huichang, whether it is to join a theater troupe or not. The Touch Lab is very much looking forward to what kind of new vitality and creativity this work will bring to Huichang, a land full of dreams.
From May 1st to 5th, Lai Shengchuan, together with Liu Xiaoyi and his Touch Laboratory, will bring a new fantasy fairy tale parent-child drama "Whale Library" to Huichang Drama Town from May 31st to June 2nd Return to the "base camp" and go to the theater to bring knowledge and courage to children everywhere. Both adults and children are welcome to enter the theater and experience this touching story.
2024.05.01 – 05.05
Huichang Drama Town “Whale Library”
2024.05.31 – 06.02
Shanghai Theater “Whale Library”
