[Source: Labor Observer] Abstract: Fang Ru, winner of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Drama, will perform a groundbreaking performance. 6 actors interpret 14 roles and support the show. As a participating play in the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival, the Ou Op

[Source: Labor Watch]

Summary: Chinese Drama Plum Blossom Award winner Fang Ru will give a groundbreaking performance.

6 actors interpret 14 roles to support a play. As a participating play in the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival, the Ou Opera "Zhang Xie Zhuangyuan" created and staged by Wenzhou Ou Opera Art Research Institute will be performed on the Tianchan Yifu Stage from October 17th to 18th.

The Ou opera "Zhang Xie Zhuangyuan" is adapted from an ancient opera from the Southern Song Dynasty. It is one of the earliest and best-preserved opera scripts in China. The work tells the story of Zhang Xie, a scholar who was in trouble on his way to Beijing to take the exam. After marrying a poor girl, he fell into the choice of love and honor in the face of glory and wealth.

In the play, Zhang Xie faced social pressure and the temptation of power, struggled several times, and finally repented and reunited with a poor girl. The play is full of profound thoughts on love, marriage, human nature and lust for power, and conveys the way of life and philosophy of "do not deceive yourself internally and do not deceive others externally".

The most impressive thing about traditional opera is the virtual performance without physical objects. Therefore, a simple table and two chairs on the stage can transform the universe and transform different scenes and spaces during the actors' performances. In this play, even a table and two chairs have been "simplified" and the entire stage is left to the actors. The entire play relies on the actors' performances to "give birth" to everything.

In addition, the original singing style not only retains traditional tunes such as Kunqiang and Gaoqiang, but also incorporates modern music elements, allowing the audience to experience the ingenious fusion of classical and modern in an immersive atmosphere.

"Zhang Xie Zhuangyuan" is a groundbreaking performance by Fang Rujiang, the leader of Ou Opera and winner of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Drama. Although the story originated from ancient Nan Opera, the interpretation from a contemporary perspective makes the characters more three-dimensional.

Zhang Xie in the play is no longer just an arrogant and hypocritical image, but a character who constantly reflects and self-criticizes under social pressure. This transformation not only avoids the previous stereotypes of the characters, but also provides new interpretations and thinking, giving the ancient plays new vitality.

""Zhang Xie Zhuangyuan" is not only the continuation and promotion of Nanxi opera culture, but also an expression of cultural confidence. We hope that through such adaptation and innovation, more young audiences will understand and love this ancient art Form." said Cai Xiaoqiu, director of Wenzhou Ou Opera Art Research Institute.

The header picture is a still from the Ou drama "Zhang Xie Zhuangyuan".Photo courtesy of Wenzhou Ou Opera Art Research Institute