Classic revamp
Latest rendition of Royal Consort of Tang adapted for modern audiences
AShanghai actress will present the legendary story of the royal concubine Yang Yuhuan, one of the famous “four beauties” in Chinese history, during the 21st China Shanghai International Arts Festival.
Shi Yihong will play Yang in the latest rendition of the Peking Opera, The Royal Consort of Tang (Da Tang Gui Fei), which will be presented from Nov 6 to 10 at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Yang, a highborn lady during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and emperor Li Longji’s favorite concubine, was well-known for her beauty and dancing. The historic figure is a frequent subject in Chinese literature, fairy tales and stage productions.
In the early 1900s, Yang’s story was written and staged by the famous Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang (1894-1961). The classic is one of Mei’s most celebrated works.
Shi is a disciple of the Mei Lanfang school of Peking Opera and one of the best-known performers with the Shanghai Jingju Theater Company. She has been widely praised for her singing and dancing, which encapsulate grace and sophistication.
While this new rendition of The Royal Consort of Tang is based on the original work that premiered 18 years ago in Shanghai, it has been refined for contemporary tastes and to appeal to younger audiences, the show’s director Zhu Weigang says.
He says audiences can expect a harmonious blend of the Western symphonic style and traditional Chinese opera.
“This new edition is still inclined toward traditional opera music. The most popular parts of the symphony and chorus have been retained,” says Zhu.
It’ll also feature more dancing to enhance its visual appeal.
“Yang was said to be the most popular dancer of the Tang Dynasty. So, it’s only natural that we have more dancing in the show,” says dancer and choreographer Huang Doudou.
A highlight will be the “jadeplate dancing” sequence, a scene Mei popularized almost a century ago. The performance features Shi dancing on a large green plate that complements her movements and costume.
“This is a great combination of operatic poses and classical dance moves. I’ve been practicing very hard these days. I might actually be the best dancer in the field of Peking Opera,” Shi quips.
Historical records show that the Tang Dynasty attracted many foreigners to its capital city, Chang’an (today’s Xi’an), resulting in this art form being infused with international elements. As such, the choreography involves actors performing exotic dances alongside Shi to reflect the period’s prosperity and diversity.
To cater to modern audiences, the stage design gives up traditional sets featuring colorful furniture and decorations in favor of scenery presented using multimedia.
“We started work on this show at the beginning of the year. I hope this opera will become a classic that will go on to be staged by future generations,” says company director Zhang Fan.