Following the "Five Parts of the Intellectuals of the Republic of China", Drama Nine has launched a new attempt to present Hong Kong Repertory Theater's Cantonese word-of-mouth works in Mandarin - from May 10th to 19th, authorized by Hong Kong Repertory Theater and Drama Nine The Mandarin version of the drama "Principles" produced and produced will have its premiere at the National Theater Small Theater.
The Cantonese version of the play "Principles" was produced by the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre. It premiered in Hong Kong in 2017 and was broadcast live around the world in 2020. It has received numerous praises. The story uses the controversy caused by the new school rule "Wear sportswear when playing on the playground" to three-dimensionally depict the complex relationship between teachers and students in middle schools. In this Mandarin version, the perspective of the story switches to modern times, but what remains unchanged is the presentation of the speculative spirit in the work.
Rather than saying this is a "contemporary drama", it is more like a "campus fable" that transcends reality. Unlike Nine's previous Republican dramas, which had huge sets and numerous and thin props, the stage design of the Mandarin version of "Principle" is very simple, with only two chairs on the stage. The whole play uses school rules as a carrier, and through the mouths of teachers and students with different personalities and ideas in the school, it shows the views and thinking on human nature and the world from different perspectives.
The new principal Yang Zhi arrived with the mission of "improving the school's performance", but due to his "principles first, human feelings second" style of dealing, he was frequently blocked in the implementation of new school regulations. Of course, the principled Principal Yang is not the only incarnation of "principle" in the play. Chen Xian, the vice-principal who "turns the wind into rain", Cai Lin, the dean of education who "results from injustice", and even the impulsive or ignorant young people on campus, each of them's principles are gradually revealed with the twists and turns of the story. Topics that sound macroscopic like "running a school" and "educating people" have become concrete in the daily events that teachers and students face every day. The passionate debates are full of vitality and vigor, and the hesitant answers also hide hidden meanings. The confusion of youth.
In the creation of the Mandarin version, the nine people also injected some new attempts. For example, in the Cantonese version, the two student characters (Fu Mingzhen and Liang Jiawen) who "one forward and one retreat" were played by four young actors in the Mandarin version. As director Zhu Hongxuan said, "People are rich, and I don't want them to be restricted to a single gender portrayal." The setting of the same role and different actors not only presents different performance styles, but also enriches the characters to a certain extent. The depiction also allows the audience to present advancement, retreat and relaxation.
Deep and three-dimensional character portrayal, solid and interesting speculation and discussion, throughout. But respecting the rules or being considerate? Choose safety or keep possibilities? The screenwriter did not give a clear answer, but left room for speculation to the audience. Speculation is to get rid of prejudices and sail towards greater goodwill. From this perspective, the issue of "Principles" is eternal. It flies out of the campus like a badminton, allowing the audience to see many thoughts on the values of life through small things.
Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Guo Jia
editor/Cui Wei
