There is a lot of drama in Shanghai. The head of a multinational company's China office "applies" for a job as a noodle shop owner
"I am the head of a multinational company's China office. My strength is that I am very perseverant and have run several marathons. I think I can play the role of Mr. He well." "I want to apply for the role of 'Shanshan'. He is a new Shanghainese in the play, and I am also a new Shanghainese in real life. I agree with the character introduction of 'representing innovation and modernity'." On the afternoon of June 20, in the reader's study room of the North Station, the mobile theater "Butterfly Talk·Suhewan", a project supported by the Jing'an District Cultural Development Special Fund, was launched and ushered in the first script reading meeting. "Let's go for it!" The amateur actor who came to apply for the role read out the lines in Shanghai dialect, which attracted laughter and applause.
"Butterfly Talk: Suhewan" tells the story of the transformation of a traditional Chinese noodle shop by the Suzhou River in Shanghai in the fierce competition of the catering industry in modern society. How the time-honored noodle shop innovates while preserving traditions is the result of the integration and change of regional culture and new and old cultures. The story will revolve around four main characters: Mr. He, who adheres to the traditional craftsman spirit and has a conservative personality; He Chen, who is at the crossroads of life and struggles; Xixi, who embraces Chinese and Western cultures and is straightforward; and Shanshan, a new Shanghainese who is full of innovative spirit and loves life.
"Butterfly Talk: Suhe Bay" will be launched on the banks of Suzhou River this fall. This mobile immersive theater will cover new parks and cultural and tourism landmarks along the Jing'an section of Suzhou River, such as Mixc World, the former site of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, and Sihang Tiandi, with the theme of "the fusion story of a river, the sentimental chant of generations", to create a cultural experience platform where multiple cultures converge.
According to the relevant person in charge of the initiator, Ai Feiliqi Cultural Exchange Center, the "Immersive Mobile Theater" is not a concept of a fixed space. The event will not only be held in the historical and cultural landmarks of Jing'an District, but will also integrate interactive experience elements such as script-killing, allowing participants to understand Shanghai's urban culture and history through immersive experience, and promote people of different ages, occupations and backgrounds to participate in cultural activities, especially for young people and students. It will convey historical knowledge in an entertaining way and cultivate respect and love for the city's cultural heritage among the younger generation.
The great changes of Suzhou River are an important witness to the changes in Shanghai's city and the development of the times. The Suzhou River and its coastline present many unique urban features and cultural heritage, full of wonderful stories. The Jing'an section of Suzhou River is in a position of "connecting the past and the future" both in terms of geographical location and historical status. At the press conference, professionals, literary critics, and writers from the Jing'an District Culture and Tourism Bureau, Beizhan Street, Municipal Social Organization Service Center and other departments, as well as the China Yangtze River Delta Performing Arts Alliance and the Shanghai Chinese and Foreign Cultural and Art Exchange Association, participated in the unique script reading meeting. Everyone said that the history of a city is inseparable from the stories and legends behind the buildings. These vivid stories and people deserve to be seen and listened to. Through an original drama in which ordinary citizens participate, visiting classic landmarks, exploring the historical events behind the buildings, discovering personal history under the grand narrative, and restoring the style of Shanghai, the "people's city", is of great practical significance.
Amateur actors conduct their first script reading. Photo by Shi Chenlu
Through public welfare recruitment, the original crew of "Butterfly Talk: Suhe Bay" will be composed of enthusiasts from universities such as Fudan University, University of Finance and Economics, Tongji University, Shanghai Association for Sino-Foreign Cultural and Art Exchange, Jing'an District Young Lawyers Association, Jing'an District Opera Association and other institutions. At the same time, the recruitment of actors and behind-the-scenes staff will continue to be open to the public.
At the launch ceremony, the attendees also received a special invitation card, which could be exchanged for a customized "Diehua" mixed noodles at a noodle shop in Sihang Tiandi. It turned out that the noodle shop owner, who graduated from the Performance Department of Shanghai Theatre Academy, was about the same age as "Lao He" in the play. Who says that this city is not full of "drama"?
