curtain, the huge image of Yongding Gate spreads out, and the rough black and white tones bring time and space back to the 1950s. When the performance bell rang and the brief lights came on again, the alleys intertwined, the eaves were stacked, and the silhouette of Yongding Gate was reflected on the skyline, giving a vivid impression of the southern scenery of old Beijing. A story about faith and perseverance is hidden deep in this secret alley and small courtyard. On the evening of May 1st, Beijing People's Art Theater's annual original Beijing-style drama "Yongdingmenli" will have its premiere at the Capital Theater.
Stills from the drama "Yongdingmenli". Photographed by our reporter Fang Fei
Innovative breakthroughs in stage design and performance status
"Yongding Gate" is the first original drama launched by Beijing People's Art this year. It is written by Liu Jinyun, the second president of the People's Art, and directed by Tang Ye. In detail, , the preparation process has been more than ten years. Liu Jinyun carefully polished the script of more than two hours, deleted thousands of words, wrote thousands more, and made dozens of large and small revisions. With his concise writing skills, he brought through the historical changes from the 1950s to the 1980s, unfolding the competition and pursuit between policeman Xiao Dali and "teacher" Feng Jingbo, and running the power of faith throughout the play.
Whether it is Xiao Dali, Feng Jingbo, Yan Xueyan, or all kinds of people, the portrayal of the characters in "Yongdingmenli" directly points to the heart, opening up another spiritual world of expressing one's thoughts outside the real space. "The actors will constantly jump in and out to communicate spiritually." Tang Ye introduced. "Yongdingmenli" continues Beijing People's Arts' traditional advantages in Beijing-style works, but has innovations and breakthroughs in performance status and stage design. This time, "Yongdingmenli" uses a double-layer turntable to complete all scene changes in the flow. The layered spatial structure is filled with details that can stand up to scrutiny. The costumes worn by the characters, changes to the surrounding buildings, and the titles of the notices on the walls all closely reflect the era of the narrative. At the end of the play, the curtain lowered again, and the Yongding Gate above it turned into color. The passage of 30 years has sealed the joys, sorrows, joys, gatherings and separations that happened in this hot land.
The young actors performed the Beijing-style opera with great spirit
"What "Yongding Gate" most wants to express is the changes in society and people in the changing times." Tang Ye said. She and many people at Beijing People's Art Institute affectionately call Liu Jinyun "Uncle", "Uncle's writing is very freehand, just like a line, but we need to fill this line completely, enrich it into full stage content, and then present it to the audience. Audience. "Vivid and distinct character creation is crucial. Young actors such as Yang Mingxin, Miao Chi, and Yuan Yu have filled in the flesh and blood of many characters: the persistent Xiao Dali, the transformed Feng Jingbo, the bright Yan Xueyan... in According to Miao Chi, who plays Feng Jingbo, Beijing-style opera not only means the Beijing flavor in language, but also needs to capture the "unique spirit".
Yang Mingxin (right) plays Xiao Dali, and Miao Chi (left) plays Feng Jingbo. Photographed by our reporter Fang Fei
Tang Ye said frankly that although the crew of "Yongding Gate" went to the place where the story took place to collect information, many traces have long been washed away by the long river of time. The theater arranged a lot of desk work for everyone, invited experts to give lectures, and organized actors to visit archives to review materials and watch documentaries, especially "to see the mental outlook of people back then." Yuan Yu, who plays the famous Peking Opera actress Yan Xueyan, read carefully the biographies of past masters, and read between the lines to get close to their bodies and charms, and feel the purity of "dare to speak, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility". Yuan Yu also specifically asked the famous performing artist Li Shengsu for advice, closely observed her every move in performances, teaching and daily life, and recorded the rhymes of Li Shengsu's poems, practicing them at work and listening to them after get off work. In the play, Yuan Yuxiao, who has been fond of Peking opera since childhood, shows off her skills, which is a highlight worth looking forward to.
Yuan Yu wears a costume and plays the famous Peking Opera actress Yan Xueyan. Photographed by our reporter Fang Fei
It is reported that the current performance of "Yongding Gate" will last until May 12.
