Why is there a Chinese actor on stage?, The original French musical "Romeo and Juliet" has performed 13 consecutive French shows in Shanghai | China | Romeo and Juliet
From June 2nd to 11th, the original French musical "Romeo and Juliet" was performed 13 times in a row at the Shanghai Cultural Square. This is the first large-scale overseas original musical to return to Shanghai after three years, and it was sold out on the day of ticket issuance, adding another spark to the Shanghai performing arts market.
In the drama, the Capulet family to which Juliet belongs is mainly colored in red, while the Montague family to which Romeo belongs is mainly colored in blue. The stairs of the cultural square hall are decorated with red and blue roses, and the enthusiastic audience is also dressed in red or blue clothing, transforming the theater into a sea of red and blue. The final performance came to an end, and each audience member walked out of the theater with a rose and unique memories.
After the hit performance of Romeo and Juliet, more and more overseas masterpieces with international vision and multiple aesthetics will return to the Shencheng stage. Original dramas such as the 10th anniversary of the British tour of the musical Titanic and the Israeli drama "superfluous people", "evil spirits" and "Hamlet" are gaining momentum, and plays in different languages are blending and colliding in this all-inclusive city. A live audience said: "I am glad to see the original French musicals on the scene again. I feel full of ceremony and look forward to more and more original dramas coming to Shanghai."
Three visits to Shanghai after 20 years of hot performances
The French musical Romeo and Juliet is adapted from Shakespeare's play of the same name and has become one of the most popular French musicals in the world since its premiere in France in 2001. For over 20 years, the "Faroju" tour has spread to more than 20 countries around the world, attracting over 10 million viewers to enter theaters and becoming the "white moonlight" of French musicals in the hearts of many viewers. More than 30 tracks, both classical and rock, allow the audience to feel the French romance in the music.
For more than a decade, Shanghai Culture Square has introduced many overseas musicals, including French original musicals, in addition to Romeo and Juliet, Notre Dame, Rock Mozart, Les Miserables and so on. Fei Yuanhong, deputy general manager of Shanghai Culture Plaza, said: "most French musicals are in line with Chinese aesthetics. Because of their sense of freehand brushwork and creative ideas centered on poems and songs, they happen to coincide with the aesthetic interests passed on by Chinese people through opera for thousands of years."
This year is not only the first global tour to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the show, but what's even more surprising is that the premiere version of "Romeo" and "Juliet" Damien Sage and Cecilia Kara have both returned and joined hands once again. 20 years ago, during the premiere of Romeo and Juliet, Damian played Romeo with flowing long hair and a deep singing voice, which captivated countless viewers. Hicilia was also an irreplaceable Juliet in the hearts of many people. Their return is like the final puzzle piece of the 20th anniversary commemorative tour of Faroju, becoming a dream fulfilling journey for the audience.
In 2012, Romeo and Juliet, the original French musical, came to Chinese Mainland for the first time and was introduced by the Cultural Plaza for 20 consecutive performances. In 2018, this musical returned to the stage of the Cultural Square. In 2021, the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet, jointly produced by Shanghai Cultural Square and Jiuwei Culture, will be performed 25 times in a row at Shanghai Cultural Square and will begin a national tour. Now, the original version has returned and attracted many new and old audiences. Damian said, "I'm glad to be back in Shanghai, back in such a great theater. Thank you to the Shanghai audience for their enthusiasm."
The only Chinese actor on stage
Interestingly, the reporter found a Chinese actress on the stage of the original French version of Romeo and Juliet-23-year-old dancer Liang Qianying, who played death in the play. Having studied Chinese classical dance, she incorporated the Chinese style into her dance section. Carl Baltar, choreographer and director of the original French version of Romeo and Juliet, said: "I have directed many versions all over the world, and this is the most beautiful and desirable god of death. I really want to put the Chinese version of death in a suitcase and ship it to France. "
The character played by Liang Qianying, "Death God," is the most complex makeup character in "Romeo and Juliet." She needs to wear a hood and makeup for over an hour every day before her performance. In every performance, she adjusts the details of the performance based on the atmosphere of the scene and the reactions of the surrounding actors. Liang Qianying said, "The French are very romantic. In Romeo and Juliet, 'Death' is not just a villain who reaps life. Her appearance is not only an end, but also a new beginning, so she also symbolizes redemption."
As the only Chinese actor on the set, Liang Qianying's integration is unobstructed. The first time we reconciled with Damian Sage in the rehearsal hall, the entire crew gave a lasting and enthusiastic round of applause, acknowledging her performance and welcoming her to join. "They are really enthusiastic and give me a lot of encouragement."
Musical theater is a comprehensive art, but dance is often overlooked compared to music and performance. In Liang Qianying's view, dance plays a role in laying the tone in a musical. It not only has ornamental value, but also creates atmosphere, supports emotional expression, and advances the storyline. "The reason why the French version of 'Romeo and Juliet' is so popular is because the music, dance, and performance are all excellent. The dance choreographed by director Carl is very exciting, with strong skills and full impact."
In addition to Liang Qianying, many dancers in "Romeo and Juliet" have left a deep impression on the audience. The Cultural Square also specially invited two outstanding dancers in the play, Aur é lie Giboire and Dedson Killah, to take a unique street photo on the streets of Shanghai. They dressed in costumes and danced in front of the final ticket booth of the Performing Arts World and the iconic buildings on the Bund in Huangpu District, becoming a scenic spot in this city.
