This play is adapted from Huanshaji, allegedly the first script of Kunqu written by the Ming playwright Liang Chen-yu. Chief of the troupe, Hong Wei-zhu took up the task of adaptation, dropping the lengthy and loose parts, and concentrating on acts that delineate the romance between Fan Li and Xishi...Read more
This play is adapted from Huanshaji, allegedly the first script of Kunqu written by the Ming playwright Liang Chen-yu. Chief of the troupe, Hong Wei-zhu took up the task of adaptation, dropping the lengthy and loose parts, and concentrating on acts that delineate the romance between Fan Li and Xishi, such as Washing the Gauze , Remembering the Vow, Persuading Xixhi, Floating on the Lake. As for the loyalty and stubbornness of Wu Zi-xu, he portrays them in the scenes Remonstration and Bestowing the Sword. There are heated combat scenes in the acts Surrender, and Expedition against Wu; meanwhile, the vicissitudes of dynasty transition are also depicted. In addition to large-scale abridgement of the lyrics, and revising the phrases according to the rhythm scheme, the playwright also makes every effort to retain the elegance of the phrases without being too obscure. The personalities of the main characters are also intensified and made more solid.
The joint performance has the supporting roles shared by actors from both China and Taiwan. The main characters, Fan Li and Xishi, were shared by three sets of actors. Each performance creates new dynamics and ignites new sparkles. For the final recorded version, two actors with a Beijing Opera background and trained in Kunqu Opera for years played the main characters. Zhao Yang-qiang's Fan Li is appealing in his masculine toughness. The hua-dan (young and vibrant female characters) Yang Li-juan's Xishi, appears to be more animated and vivacious than the original gueimen-dan (young and unmarried female characters who are often shy and reserved) of Kunqu Opera.
Category | Xiqu(Traditional Opera) |
Type | Kunqu Opera |
Chinese Title | 范蠡與西施 |
Group | Taiwan Kunqu Opera Theatre |
Creative staff | Taiwan Kunqu Opera Theatre |
Subtitle | Mandarin Chinese / English |
Premiere | 2013-04-30 |
Venue | The Metropolitan Hall, Taipei |
Duration | 150min |
Image Source | |
Other Works | Kite Romance The Wooden Hairpin |