Presenter: Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe
Author: Wang Shifu (Yuan Dynasty)
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts – Theatre
Dates: July 23 – July 26, 2009 19:30
Price: VIP 300 200 120 80 50 RMB
Programme Introduction
Romance of the Western Chamber is honored as the best Kunqu Opera for its gorgeous writing and is deemed as “A Beauty among flowers”. This version is shortened to three volumes with 12 sections from the original five volumes with 21 sections. The performance will be divided into two parts.
The play boasts a top-level crew, including director Guo Xiaonan, stage designer Huang Kaifu and advisor Hu Jinfang. It is adapted by Wang Renjie and composed by Yang Nailin.
A glass platform will be set up on the stage surrounded by vivid but simple pavilion, pond and tower; such elegant designs as LED lamps, romantic peach blossoms and meaningful lotus will bring a distinctive visual effect to audience.
The hero and heroine will be acted by Wang Zhenyi and Wei Chunrong who are praised as the No.1 Actor and No.1 Actress respectively in Northern Kunqu Opera Troupe. The two top artists will try their best to grace the fantastic epic, which has a happy ending.
The costume and decorations, different from the traditional style of Kunqu Opera, are specially designed to express the open, magnificent and splendid feature of the Tang Dynasty.
Synopsis
Zhang Gong, a young man from Luoyang, falls in love with Cui Yingying, daughter of former prime minister, at the first sight when he rests in Pujiu Temple on his way to take the imperial examination. Later, Sun Feihu, the leader of rebel army, orders his army to besiege the temple and forces Cui Yingying to be his wife. Under this condition, Mrs. Cui, Yingying’s mother, claims that anyone who can beat the rebel army will be able to marry Yingying. Zhang invites his friend Du Que, White Horse General, to defeat Sun’s army. However, Mrs. Cui breaks her promise and asks Zhang to be Yingying’s brother. Zhang sends Yingying’s servant girl Hongniang to pass messages to Yingying, and meets Yingying at night by jumping over the wall. Yingying, however, lashes his rudeness. This makes Zhang fall ill. Hongniang brings Yingying to see him, and finally Zhang and Yingying become a couple of lovers. Mrs. Cui beats Hongniang in anger when she hears about it; on the contrary, Hongniang accuses her breach of faith. Finally, Mrs. Cui has to agree with the marriage but requests Zhang to merry Yingying after passing the imperial examination. Therefore, Zhang reluctantly bids farewell to Yingying to take the examination. In the end, the lovers get married.
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information, however the hours, prices, and program details may vary due to last minute changes.
(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)
