"Confucius - When we talk about Confucius, what are we talking about? 》Stills. Photography Wang Xiaoxi
Beijing News (Reporter Liu Zhen) On July 5, as a 2022 funding project of the Beijing Culture and Art Fund and a 2023 Dongcheng Culture and Art Fund support project, the drama "Confucius - When" produced by Huang Ying Studio When we talk about Confucius, what are we talking about? " was invited to participate in the 9th China Original Drama Invitational Exhibition and was performed at the Mandarin Pioneer Smart Theater. Audiences will run a seven-hour theatrical "marathon" with the actors.
"Confucius - When we talk about Confucius, what are we talking about? " begins with the birth of Confucius and ends with his departure to Sandu and farewell to the State of Lu when he was over fifty years old. The whole play is consistent with Confucius' thought of "restraining oneself and restoring propriety", and is extended and developed based on evidence-based records in history. From the beginning to the end, the audience is taken to the pre-Qin era more than 2,000 years ago in the tone of a modern storyteller. Continuously innovate based on facts and evidence. During the creative process, it was repeatedly revised and polished, and finally turned into a seven-hour "marathon drama".
Huang Ying believes, "Each of us has the shadow of Confucius, which is why we talk about him together today." Although there is a distance of 2500 to 600 years between us and the people of the Spring and Autumn Period. , but in terms of how we behave in the world and as a nation, we are no different from them back then. So, "Confucius - What are we talking about when we talk about Confucius?" "" strives to bring the ancestors of Confucius's era - whether they are heroes or villains, back to us today - because we and them are always connected by blood. Huang Ying said: "When we criticize them, we are actually criticizing ourselves; we feel that the noble side of ourselves also comes from them." The audience, actors, and creators spent these seven hours When we talk about Confucius together, we see both our ancestors and ourselves.
"When I was reading the text of The Analects of Confucius when I was a child, I always felt that it was some words that seemed to be right anywhere. As you grow up, you will find that it is not difficult to say those 'quotations', but if you want to "Practice it, it's not easy." Huang Ying said that Confucius never changed his gentle "quality" for a result or purpose in his life - this is something that is still very admirable for him to this day. No matter how the outside world views him, he is able to "not be surprised by what others don't know" and looks forward to "having friends come from afar" and "learning from time to time" throughout his life. As younger generations, the Chinese people are very lucky to have such ancestors when we grow up.
"Confucius - When we talk about Confucius, what are we talking about?" 》Stills. Photography Wang Xiaoxi
The seven-hour play has many spatial changes, and the transformation of multiple spaces is completed through stage design, lighting, music and sound effects, and multimedia. In addition to the visually huge incomplete steps, a ginkgo tree was also planted on the stage. The gradual growth of an apricot seedling into a big tree witnessed the people of the Spring and Autumn Period crossing the torrent of history, but Confucius remained consistent, "restraining oneself and returning to ritual". Audiences were invited to sign messages on the almond leaves during the performance. Some viewers wrote, "The benevolent love themselves, the wise know themselves. Ask questions from two thousand years ago to solve the confusion of the present. This is the meaning of exploring history." "An inspirational young man who has made great achievements in ancient and modern times, Confucius is the ideal in everyone's heart Spirit. Just believe in the great unity and tomorrow." These confessions, expectations or emotions were hung on the apricot tree during the next performance, truly becoming a link between the past and the present and conveying spiritual power.
inherits tradition, keeps integrity and innovates. At this time, the national style and national trend are setting off a strong driving force and attraction, with unprecedented popularity.When talking about the creation of historical themes and the adaptation of classic themes, Huang Ying mentioned "tradition": "'Tradition' is development, and 'tradition' is unity. 'Tradition' is an unchanging factor that grows stronger over time, and 'tradition' It means updating and evolving with the times. When we mention "tradition", we always think of it as a noun, as if it only refers to old things. In fact, it should be a verb. We are constantly changing and developing in a unified way. If we copy classical Chinese art styles, we will miss our innovation and reflection on tradition based on current life. "Huang Ying said, "This is a very important aspect of Chinese civilization: we learn about our own destiny through reading history. Road, we look back to the past in order to better look forward to the future. "
It is reported that "Confucius - When we talk about Confucius, what are we talking about? " will be performed at the Mandarin Pioneer Smart Theater for two weeks from July 5th to 14th.
Editor Huang Jialing
Proofreading Liu Jun
