[Source: China News Network] China News Service, Changsha, September 4 (Reporter Deng Xia) From taking the lead in the development of China's first deep sea and shallow strata core sampling drilling rig, to developing the "Manatee II" deep pressure-maintaining core coring of larg

China News Service, Changsha, September 4th (Reporter Deng Xia) From taking the lead in the development of China's first deep-sea shallow stratum core sampling drill to developing the "Manatee II" submarine large-hole deep pressure-maintaining core drilling system, it has refreshed the world's deep sea in one fell swoop. Undersea drilling rig drilling depth, Hunan-born scientist Wan Buyan, a "model of the times" of the Central Propaganda Department, led a team that made pioneering contributions to the research and development of China's marine mineral exploration technology and equipment.

Stills from the original drama "The Cattlemen of the Deep". Photo courtesy of Hunan Provincial Theater

Recently, the play "Deep Sea Cattle Breeders" based on Professor Wan Buyan and his "Manatee" team was performed in Changsha and aroused enthusiastic response. "I never thought that a play on scientific research could be so beautiful. I gained a lot of knowledge and was moved to tears." A girl under 20 years old was filled with emotion after walking out of the theater.

"In the past, scientific research dramas were very boring. Our goal in creating this work is to be lively, youthful, and fashionable. First of all, we want everyone to like watching it." Liu Jiusi, the director of the play, told a reporter from China News Service During the interview, he expressed the hope that the audience could personally experience the excitement and pride of scientists starting a business for the country.

The original drama "The Cowherd of the Deep Sea" is jointly produced by Hunan Provincial Performing Arts Group, Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Association, and Hunan University of Science and Technology. It is created and staged by Hunan Provincial Drama Theater. Lin Yongjun, chairman of the Chinese Drama Association, is specially invited to serve as the screenwriter. It is artistically created by the National Center for the Performing Arts Liu Jiusi, senior director of the center, serves as the director.

Stills from the original drama "The Cattlemen of the Deep". Photo courtesy of Hunan Provincial Theater

"The most intuitive feeling after reading the script for the first time is that the subject matter is very good. Professor Wan Buyan's deeds are worthy of attention. Rehearsing this work is very challenging. After all, the life of a scientist is too unfamiliar to us." Liu Jiusi is a doctorate in drama and film from the Central Academy of Drama and has participated in many major research projects. When creating this drama, she introduced research methods to the crew. When she arrived in Changsha in June this year, she led the creative team to review materials, read documentary literature, and conduct discussions to summarize issues.

"Adhere to a problem-oriented approach, and only by collecting stories will we achieve practical results." Liu Jiusi said that the crew went to Hunan University of Science and Technology four times, doing enough homework for each interview, and impressed Professor Wan Buyan and others with their rigorous and serious creative attitude. His wife Liu Shuying and the "Manatee" team.

"This type of subject matter can easily make the audience feel distant. The important reason is that the character prototype has already become famous and difficult to match." Talking about the artistic characteristics of the play, Liu Jiusi said that "Deep Sea Cattle Breeder" is unique. The reason is that the script pays special attention to portraying the growth path of the "model of the times". "A photo of Professor Wan Buyan in his youth impressed me deeply. At that time, he had just come into contact with the marine industry and was less than thirty years old. He had thick black hair, wore a pair of round glasses, and was full of bookishness. I thought, Isn’t the experience of Wan Buyan’s team in developing the first submarine drilling rig with the support of national policies just like the entrepreneurial story of a few young people? Therefore, we made the first half of this drama into a high-spirited youth drama. The audience will feel much more friendly if they can see the shadow of themselves or those around them. "

The theme of the second half of the play is "Passing on the Fire". In his middle age, Wan Buyan leads a team to teach at a university, determined to contribute to China's seabed exploration. When cultivating successors, we must face the conflict of ideas between the two generations of "cattle farmers". Liu Jiusi said frankly that the character creation of young students incorporates a lot of material from his own student life. "When I was in school, I often didn't understand the teachers' good intentions, but they still gave me full tolerance and care, and spent ten years cultivating me. Looking back, I am very touched. During rehearsals, I would share my experiences with the actors. The story helps them capture the psychological state of the characters and accurately shape the characters. When this work goes on campus tours in the future, the student group should resonate with it. "

The creative team of "The Cowherd of the Deep Sea" and Professor Wan Buyan (middle). group photo.Photo courtesy of Hunan Provincial Theater

How to present the thirty-year struggle of the "Manatee" team in a two-hour performance? Liu Jiusi said that the focus of her creation lies in "creating characters". "The title of the play "Deep Sea Cattle Farmer" was suggested by Professor Wan. He said that the development of undersea drilling rigs relies on the strength of a team, and he cannot be the only one highlighted in the play. Therefore, I set a goal at the beginning of the formation of the group. We must What is created is Wan Buyan and a distinctive, three-dimensional and multi-faceted 'cattleman' image. The narrative must serve the writer. "With the development of the plot, China's submarine drilling rig technology and equipment have gone from following to running alongside, and then again. From leaps and bounds to leading the way, young people are always active in it.

The play is based on the "Hunan temperament, feelings of family and country, and international vision". The first half highlights the national emotions to the extreme, and in the second half, the pen changes direction and writes about the confidence of a great country. "The patriotism of scientists is not limited to avenging shame. We are not trying to use powerful technology to choke other people's necks, but to lead the world's marine industry to move forward together. The sense of pride and mission brought by the country's important weapons It is a firm manifestation of the self-confidence of a major country," Liu Jiusi said.

"Professor Wan Buyan watched the performance and fully affirmed it, which encouraged us." Looking back on the two recent performances, Liu Jiusi sincerely thanked the audience for their recognition, "I saw many young audiences walking into the theater, and I was worried at first. They couldn't sit still, and they didn't expect that the children could watch it quietly and applaud vigorously, which shows that our three months of hard work are very meaningful."

"Professor Wan Buyan once said: Where the country lags behind, that is the direction of our efforts." Liu Jiusi said that he hopes that the drama "Deep Sea Cattle Breeders" will bring some inspiration to young people and want to become a respected person. As a role model, the starting point of efforts is now.