Showcasing the beauty of Shanghai style ballet, Shanghai Ballet's "Phantom of the Opera" is about to make its debut at the National Grand Theatre. Phantom of the Opera | Shanghai Ballet | Ballet
The original ballet "The Phantom of the Opera" by Shanghai Ballet will make its debut at the National Theatre in Beijing from August 18th to 20th. "The Phantom of the Opera" is adapted from the novel of the same name published by French author Gaston Le Roux in 1910, and premiered in Shanghai in May of this year. Exquisite and elegant body expressions, grand and mysterious stages, and intense music have won the praise of the audience, leaving a unique imprint of Chinese artists and Shanghai style ballet on the classic IP that is popular worldwide.
The original ballet "The Phantom of the Opera" is directed by Derek Dean, a specially invited artistic director and British choreographer of the Shanghai Ballet. It tells the story of the "Phantom" hidden in the Paris Opera House in the late 19th century, who tries to control the entire theater and dominate the fate of ballet newcomer Colistine in an almost crazy way.
The music composed by Carl Davis for the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice is closely aligned with the plot and characters. Rez Blazeston, who designed the stage and costumes for the Shanghai Ballet's Hamlet, acted like a magician and recreated the scenes of the Phantom of the Theater novel on stage, creating a mysterious and expressive stage. The lighting design of the musical "Mamma Mia!" by Howard Harrison makes the lighting, scenery, and props flow. Multimedia designer Nina Dunn made the architectural structure of the Paris Opera House truly and fantastically present to the audience, and also enabled the switching of various scenes in the dance drama.
The collaboration between choreographer Derek Dean and upper ballet began in 2000, with the creation of six classic ballet productions: Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker, Hamlet, Sleeping Beauty, and Camellia Woman. "The neoclassical style ballet" The Phantom of the Opera "tailored for Shangba this time is full of suspense, horror, and danger, as well as beautiful emotions." Derek said, "The ballet runs through the tragic life of the" Phantom ". Many times he is sad, even scary, but when he realizes that his relationship with the personally cultivated" Kristin "is destined to end badly, it will also inspire sympathy from the audience. I hope the audience can understand him and ultimately walk out of the theater with understanding and empathy."
For Wu Husheng, the deputy head, chief actor, and national first-class actor of the Shanghai Ballet who plays the male lead "Phantom", the role of "Phantom" has a subversive significance compared to previous roles such as princes and earls. Wearing two layers of masks while acting is a considerable challenge for him. He said, "Wearing the mask of the 'Phantom' to cover up my ugliness, I felt the cold gaze from around me. This made me, as the 'Phantom', lonely, sad, fearful, and then crazy. It wasn't until the end of the story that 'Kristin''s kiss brought redemption to the soul of the 'Phantom', and I also gained enlightenment."
The protagonist "Kristin" is played by Qi Bingxue, the main actress of the Shanghai Ballet. The role of "Christine" requires a high level of physical strength from the dancers, while also having the freedom to switch between classical and neoclassical ballet. But the most challenging aspect is still the expression of the characters, especially when playing against the Phantom. How to convey the layers of curiosity, fear, sympathy, and even heartache when facing the "Phantom" to the audience through body movements, facial expressions, and eye contact has been repeatedly pondered.
In addition, the main actors of the Shanghai Ballet, including Fan Xiaofeng, Tu Hanbin, Zhao Meici, Zhang Wenjun, and young actors Feng Zichun, Xu Jingkun, and Guo Wenjin, all played important roles in the play.
Xin Lili, the head of the Shanghai Ballet, said, "The Shanghai Ballet has always been committed to the inheritance and innovation of ballet art. Two years away from the National Grand Theatre, we hope that our original works can not only reflect the beauty and romance of Shanghai style ballet, but also allow the beauty of humanistic spirit and humanity contained in classic literature to transcend time and space, once again shaking people's hearts."
