Mandarin musical ‘I Am What I Am’ to premiere in Guangzhou

2023-12-28 14:13:00

Source: Yangcheng Evening News Yunshang Lingnan Author: Huang Zhouhui, Ai Xiuyu Publication time: 2023-12-28 22:13

The Mandarin version of the musical “I Am What I Am” is set to premiere at the Guangzhou Opera House from January 11th to 14th, 2024.

The story revolves around Juan, a left-behind teenager who wants to become a lion dancer. Through a fortuitous encounter, he forms a lion dance troupe with his friends and becomes a student of the renowned lion dance master Qiang. Together, they undergo rigorous training day and night with their sights set on the “National Lion Dance Championship”. Despite numerous obstacles and prejudices along the way, Juan eventually stages a comeback through sheer determination and fiery spirit.

Lion dance, with thousands of years of history, is a significant representative of the cultural heritage of Guangzhou. It was included in the first batch of the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2006. The musical “I Am What I Am” with the lion dance culture and local customs of the Lingnan area as the focus, intends to invigorate the intangible cultural heritage in the popular form of stage art.

It is not only an inspirational story regarding a teenager’s struggle, but also an ode to every striving individual. The characters never treat their dreams as the end of the story or the only spiritual pillar. Instead, they face the true essence of life head-on just like most of us do.

Director He Nian attaches significance to the characterization of the characters, striving to portray their passion for life. Through a tableau of the street life in Ah Juan’s hometown and the ordinary story of his struggles in Guangzhou, the musical manages to recreate the strong flavor of our contemporary life.

“‘Lingnan style’ is an element deeply embedded in this musical.” When asked regarding the style of the musical, director He Nian emphasized that the story of “I Am What I Am” takes place in the Guangdong region, thus incorporating various Lingnan styles and elements in the stage design and visual presentation. One must believe that localization is crucial for the musical to be successfully recognized by the country and the world.

It is reported that the Mandarin version of the musical “I Am What I Am” has brought together outstanding artistic talents from the GBA, with the joint efforts of seasoned professionals in Mandarin musicals. Popular artists such as Jordan Chan and Kit Chan will join forces with professional actors Fang Shujian, Guo Hongxu, and Chen Keming to deliver a mesmerizing performance.

Source:Yangcheng Evening News

The Mandarin version of the musical “Lion” will premiere in Guangzhou

The musical “The Young Lion” (Mandarin version) will premiere at the Guangzhou Grand Theater from January 11th to 14th, 2024.

The play tells the story of Ajuan, a left-behind boy who dreams of lion dancing. By chance, he forms a lion dance team with his friends and becomes a disciple of lion dance master Xian Yuqiang. Marching boldly towards the goal of “National Lion Awakening Competition”. The story of Ajuan’s stumbling and setbacks, breaking prejudices, and finally turning the tables once morest the odds with her passion and drive.

The thousand-year-old lion dance is one of the important representatives of Guangfu’s cultural spiritual inheritance. In 2006, it was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists. The musical “The Young Lion” focuses on the lion dance culture and customs of Lingnan, and uses a stage art form that is popular with the people to make “intangible cultural heritage” shine with the glory of the times.

The musical “The Young Lion” not only focuses on the inspirational story of young people’s growth, but also is a song written for every little person who works hard. The characters in the play do not regard dreams as the end of the story and the only sustenance, but like most ordinary people, face the true face of life.

Director He Nian focuses on the creation of characters and shows each character’s love for life in the play. Through the creation of group portraits of life in the hometown and the ordinary story of actor Ajuan’s hard work in Guangzhou, the stage shows the true love of our times. The breath of life and the flavors of life.

“‘Lingnan style’ is an element embedded in the gene of this drama.” When talking regarding the style of the drama, director He Nian said that the story of the musical “Lion Boys” is set in Guangdong, and its stage, images Many of them are Lingnan style and Cantonese elements. For this drama to be successful, it must firmly believe that only by insisting on localization can it be nationalized and internationalized.

According to reports, the musical “The Young Lion” (Mandarin version) gathers the outstanding literary and artistic forces in the Greater Bay Area and is created by a powerful creative team of Chinese musicals. Jordan Chan and Kit Chan join the cast, and Fang Shujian, Guo Hongxu, Chen Keming, Li Qiumeng and other powerful actors perform together.

Text | Reporter Huang Zhouhui, Ai Xiuyu, intern, Zhang Shuman, correspondent Yao Hui
Translation | Hong Ting
Picture | Reporter Liu Yingying

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