"Looking Out to the Sea from the Tower" Shines in Beijing, Caiyi Technology Rekindles the Charm of Jinzhong's Dramatic Arts
From November 20th to 21st, the Shanxi Opera "Wanghai Lou Tai", which was shortlisted for the "Exquisite Grand Opera Exhibition" of the 8th China Opera Culture Week, was splendidly performed at the Chang'an Grand Theatre in Beijing.
The lingering tones of Shanxi dialect and melody, along with the dazzling lights from Caiyi, showcased the exquisite artistic charm of the play through beautiful light and shadow, earning enthusiastic applause from audiences from all walks of life in the capital.
This performance is the debut of the Shanxi Opera "Wanghai Lou Tai" in Beijing. The equipment is provided by Shanxi Lingguang Muran Culture and Art Co., Ltd. Under the ingenious design of lighting designer Zhang Jianbin, the Chauvet FINE 1700LH BSWF four-in-one moving head light has vividly and flexibly presented the ancient charm of Shanxi style in all aspects of the play.
It is adapted from the traditional opera "Beating the Gods and Accusing the Temple", telling the classic story of the courtesan Jiao Guiying rescuing the down-and-out scholar Wang Kui. They made a solemn vow at the Sea God Temple. After Wang Kui became the top scholar in the imperial examination, he abandoned Jiao Guiying. In despair, Jiao Guiying committed suicide on the Lookout Tower.
The FINE 1700LH BSWF precisely cut out many solo performance scenes of Jiao Guiying multiple times. With pure and rich colors and the continuous sound of the Chinese guqin throughout the play, it integrated the beauty of the actors, the beauty of the sound and rhythm, the beauty of emotions, and the beauty of the stage into one, jointly creating many captivating atmospheres and passionately interpreting the charm of Jin Opera in line with the plot.
In addition to its high illuminance, comprehensive functions, and stable performance, the CHAUVET FINE 1700LH BSWF four-in-one computerized moving head light also features a silent operation (noise level below 45dB), creating a pure audio-visual feast.
The stage presentation of the drama is elegant and dynamic, with many unexpected touches, which is the result of the joint efforts of the director and the stage designer. For instance, the design of the "zither" runs through the entire play, which is structured into seven scenes: "Distant Worship and Playing the Zither", "Flying Letters Falling on the Zither", "Falling in Love and Dancing with the Zither", "Parting and Giving the Zither", "Throwing the Zither in the Temple", "Beating the Zither in Betrayal", and "Breaking the Zither in the Angry Sea". In the scene of breaking the zither, the director ingeniously designed the curtain as a surging sea. The zither, hung by Jiao Guiying on a hook, is slowly lifted up. In the audience's vision, the zither gradually drifts away with the waves. This design is extremely brilliant and surprising. People lament Jiao Guiying's death by jumping into the sea, but the mood is not overly sorrowful. Watching the zither drift away, there is more a sense of pity and attention towards life.
The ending of the work employs romanticist creative techniques and is the most dynamic part of the piece. On the stage, the silk and gauze billow, symbolizing the surging waves. Wang Kui and Jiao Guiying dance together in the sea, but they are no match for the waves of the ocean. Jiao Guiying's soul stands tall in the sea, presenting a graceful dance, while Wang Kui's soul is tossed about by the sea, his whereabouts unknown. The different fates of the two souls in the sea are thought-provoking, leaving the audience wanting more.
The Jin Opera "The Tower Overlooking the Sea" was jointly produced by the Publicity Department of the CPC Jinzhong Municipal Committee and the Jinzhong Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and was created and performed by the Jinzhong Municipal Performing Arts Company.
The play won the New Play Award of the 18th Shanxi Province Xinghua Award. The leading actress, Zheng Fangfang, a national first-class actor, won the 31st Plum Blossom Award of Chinese Drama for her role as Jiao Guiying.
These honors are a full recognition of the scriptwriting and stage performance of the inheritors of Jin Opera. At the same time, they also inspire and encourage the inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to constantly explore and innovate, using their exquisite skills and persistent spirit to help intangible cultural heritage shine with new luster in the new era.
The creative team
Chief Planner: Ren Xiwen, Liu Bingbing
Planners: Du Jianyue, Wang Jinghong
Zheng Fangfang
Chief Producers: Zhao Yongpan, Lei Ju
Supervisor: Hao Yongxian, Wang Haibing
Coordinators: Zhao Yongtuan, Zhang Dan
Screenwriter: Zhang Ximing
(National First-Class Playwright)
Director: Li Huiqin
National First-Class Director
Music Director: Liu Heren
National First-Class Composer
Composed by Meng Wen
(National First-Class Composer)
Composed (Arranged): Liu Heyue
National First-Class Composer
Stage design: Xiú Yán
Associate Professor of the Central Academy of Drama
Costume and styling design: Lan Ling
National First-Class Stage Art Design
Lighting Design: Zhang Jianbin
Lighting Designer of Taiyuan Experimental Jin Opera Theatre
Classical dance design: Yao Xiaoming
National First-Class Director and Choreographer
Physical Training for Opera: Jin Xiaoyi
National First-Class Actor
Clothing production
Hangzhou Lanling Artistic Clothing Co., Ltd.
Stage production design
Beijing Hongzhou Culture Co., Ltd.
Prop making: Wang Shuhong
