Ani, who can move only from the neck up, her middle-aged unemployed ex-husband truck driver Eddie, John, a young doctor suffering from polio, and his caregiver Jess, they are the protagonists of the drama "The Price of Life". From August 31st to September 8th, the cross-border drama "The Price of Life" was produced by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center and directed by Cha Wenhao, with dialogue actors Wei Chunguang and Mai Duo, talk show actor Xiao Jia, and dancer Liu Yan co-starring. " will be launched at the Jasmine Theater. On the afternoon of the 22nd, the crew released two clips in advance and shared their creative journey.
The original work of "The Price of Life" was written by the playwright Martina Majuk. In 2018, it won the "Pulitzer Prize" for Drama, the "Lucile Rotel Award" for Outstanding Drama, and the "Peripheral Drama" Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play and many other awards and nominations. The work explores the complex relationship between two pairs of disabled people and able-bodied people. Four people from different backgrounds work hard to live under their own circumstances. When faced with physical and mental limitations, interpersonal relationships, class differences and other difficulties, what price will they pay in life?
According to director Cha Wenhao, "The Price of Life" is not just a drama about physical disabilities, but a work about people's inner needs for each other and exploring love and survival. "This story is full of diverse thoughts and focuses on the hearts of marginalized groups in society.
For the marginalized people in the story, normal life is so difficult for them. In the seemingly simple daily trivialities, their spirits and souls collide and tear with each other, they are looking for hard-won trust and understanding. "
In "The Price of Life", Liu Yan, the "dancer in a wheelchair" and Xiao Jia, the "special presence in the talk show", are two non-professionals. Drama actors were invited to join the show and became a highlight. "The script moved me so much. Deciding to star in "The Price of Life" is a very special moment for me." Liu Yan said. Although he was unable to use his physical skills to interpret Ani on stage, Liu Yan hoped to show this tough and kind-hearted woman through her performance.
Xiaojia, who speaks vaguely and staggers slightly when walking, has won the love of many audiences with her humor in talk show performances. Due to neurological diseases caused by lack of oxygen to the brain at birth, Xiaojia had some defects in her limbs. He couldn't speak before he was 3 years old, and now he still only uses his left hand to type on the keyboard.
"My vague pronunciation in talk shows may be my specialty, but this time I must let the audience hear my words clearly." Whether in rehearsal or in life, Cha Wenhao always reminds Xiaojia to pay attention. Pronunciation, "I kept practicing, and every day was like being reborn." This is how Xiaojia described his first experience in drama.
Author: Wang Xiaoli
Text: Wang Xiaoli Pictures: Pictures provided by the performer Editor: Xu Yang Editor: Li Ting
Please indicate the source when reprinting this article.
