cover news reporter Su Yu
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. As one of the projects of the China-France Culture and Tourism Year, the Chinese version of the play "Les Misérables" premiered in Beijing on January 26. The play is produced by Yanghua Drama and the Actors' Spring Theater Festival in Montpellier, France. It is directed by French director Jean Bellolini and stars actors Liu Ye, Zhang Keying, Lin Lin, Lin Jifan and others. It brings together the creative talents of China and France. The team demonstrates the humanitarian spirit of compassion for the masses and valuing life, as well as the magnificent, complex and profound historical picture.
"Les Misérables" is a novel by French writer Victor Hugo. It was first published in 1862 and is known as "an encyclopedia of human suffering and a spiritual epic of human nature's goodness." The novel targets the suffering poor at the bottom of society and paints a picture of a miserable world. Fantine and Cosette suffered, and Jean Valjean struggled and struggled to gain a foothold in society. His work has been known as "social history" to this day.
Stills from the play "Les Misérables". Picture provided by the organizer
Cross-border spiritual collision
Presenting the world of Hugo literature
Jean Bellolini, director of the French People's Theater, won the highest honor in the French theater industry, the "Molière Drama Prize" for his work "The Good Man of Sichuan". He has created and adapted classic works by Hugo, Rabelais, Dostoevsky and other masters. Coming to China from France, after several months of rehearsals and sparks of ideas, he wanted to bring the "most sincere drama" to the audience.
"Although this is a work originating from France, when the audience appreciates it together, they can still cross national borders and transcend language barriers to jointly experience the charm of culture. The theme it reflects is the suffering and tragedy of human beings. In the world, there is always a desire and expectation for good." Jean Bellolini said in an exclusive interview with a cover news reporter that drama should extend the imagination of literary works to the stage, and all characters can be realized through the collective imagination of the creative staff. Final presentation.
Jean Bellolini created it based on the original novel. All the lines in the play are from the original work. Without changing the essence of the original work, he put it on the stage and tried to present the "original" Hugo literary world. He told reporters, "The most important thing about this work is the drama itself. It uses drama to highlight this literary work. Through this creation, people from different cultures are brought together to create sparks."
Regarding the interaction with Chinese actors The cooperation, he said, is not just to let the actors simply interpret the characters in the story, but to let the actors gradually work with the director, and the actors become the authors. "I have been looking for a spiritual collision with actors and a true understanding and encounter with actors." Stills from
drama "Les Misérables". Photo provided by the organizer
It has been 13 years since the drama stage.
Liu Ye portrays Jean Valjean
It has been 13 years since he last appeared on the drama stage. Liu Ye's interpretation of the Chinese version of Jean Valjean this time has made the audience look forward to it. Liu Ye, who has the "dual identity" of being the producer and starring actor of "Les Misérables", told reporters that drama has a unique and beautiful side. When standing on the stage, surrounded by the audience and music, actors can express their feelings and passions. "Because there is only one chance, you have to hold every line in the palm of your hand. It is extremely precious and cautious, so it is dangerous and gorgeous."
Liu Ye said frankly that the first act of the drama requires a "massive" amount of lines, and the eight-page script contains only Memory is tested, and the most important thing is expression and appeal. At this time, language and performance need to be used to attract and retain the audience.
"Being able to portray a character like Jean Valjean is a career pride for any actor." Liu Ye said that as a drama actor, drama has extraordinary significance. In July last year, he officially joined the group and started the first stage of rehearsals. He instantly regained the passion for performing in school dramas more than 20 years ago. He hopes to surpass the many classic versions of "Les Misérables" and carefully create a drama that will be accepted by the Chinese audience. Jean Valjean.
Zhang Keying "one play with two roles"
constantly breaks the boundaries of performance
Actor Zhang Keying previously starred in the drama "The Wilderness" as "Gold", interpreting the brilliance of women in a complex society, and was well received. This time, she admitted that it was quite a challenge to challenge the two major roles of Fantine and Cosette in "Les Miserables".
Zhang Keying plays Fantine. Photo provided by the organizer
She told reporters that her previous performance creations were based on Stanislavsky's performance system, but this time she tried Brecht's "alienation" performance. The actor is not only the character itself, but also the "storyteller" ". "I have to let go of my own expectations and tell the character's story to the audience. No matter which performance method is used, I will dedicate my most sincere feelings to the stage. This is the most authentic performance."
Zhang Keying plays Fantine. Picture provided by the organizer
Regarding how to distinguish the two characters, Zhang Keying said that they are mother and daughter, so they have a "heart-to-heart" relationship emotionally. She will make differences in her performance state and voice, allowing the audience to feel the presentation of women with different destinies. "I want to continue to break through the boundaries of performance. Every play will increase my ability, which will help me gain more."
Zhang Keying plays Cosette. Photo provided by the organizer
"We are telling a memory, and this memory is the play itself." Zhang Keying said that it was all Fantine's misfortunes that made Cosette happy. She was fully immersed in every performance, telling their stories and slowly becoming them in the process. This is a performance experience unlike any before. "We present the story in this public 'court', shouting out the voices from the bottom of our hearts together, defending them and ourselves. I hope it is silent and deafening."
Give the audience "freedom of imagination"
Truth, goodness and beauty will never last It will be out of date
Regarding the presentation of the play and the feelings it brings to the audience, Jean Bellolini said that the audience should be in the same situation as the readers, and they must be given great freedom, that is, freedom of imagination. "When watching a performance, they should be able to see their own hearts from the actors. It is poetic to be able to touch the soul. In order to present, we wander, listen, and create with the artist's feeling, emotion and skills of the actors to establish the work. Get up. These artists are poets who reshape the author's language through imagination."
""Les Misérables" has high artistic value and artistic space. It is one of the literary cornerstones for all mankind to jointly promote civilization." Art Director of the play , Producer Wang Keran said that the human nature, the basic values shared by mankind, and the community of human destiny reflected in this work of collaboration between Chinese and French artists are reflected in every artistic value and are also expressed in the artistic actions of the drama.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. What does "Les Misérables" mean to cultural exchanges between China and France? "This is the best cultural gift, allowing audiences from both countries to relive the true connotation of this masterpiece, because these spirits of truth, goodness and beauty will never go out of style." Jean Bellolini said.
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