Just like multiple aspects of a soul, how does Kunqu perform Hamlet? He played a four cornered stage alone | Classic | Kunqu Opera
To be or not to be, that is the question. What would be the effect when this classic English line from Shakespeare's Hamlet is recited on stage using Kunqu rhymes?
In 2016, contemporary Kunqu opera "Me, Hamlet" made its debut at the Shanghai International Art Festival. Zhang Jun, known as the "Prince of Kunqu", played four roles: Hamlet, Ophelia, Father's Soul, and Tomb Digger, covering four professions: life, dan, end, and ugliness.
Afterwards, this special solo play was performed in many parts of the world, such as the UK, the US, France, and South Korea, allowing audiences from all over the world to rediscover Hamlet and Kunqu opera.
On August 16th, "Me, Hamlet" premiered at the Shanghai Theatre Art Center. Photo by Chen Yihao
Before the English line "To be or not to be, that is the question," screenwriter Luo Zhou added a line of recitation: "When the flowers bloom and hate spring, the leaves of the leaves of the trees mourn autumn. Who can see through the events of spring and autumn, but the singing platform and the spring platform." Luo Zhou said, "Although most of us don't have to make choices between life and death, between the garden and the cemetery, between hatred and love, the avoidance of joy and the courage of sadness, to some extent, must face them directly. Please cherish and tolerate this choice."
The director of the drama, Li Xiaoping, believes that telling a complete story of the Danish prince's revenge is not our primary goal. The true intention of this drama is to reflect the dialogue between Chinese and Western cultures, achieve collision and integration from the content to the form of expression.
After the performance of "Me, Hamlet" on August 16th, the curtain call ends. Photo by Chen Yihao
From August 16th to 20th this year, Zhang Jun, as the principal of the Shanghai Theatre Academy Affiliated School of Drama, once again appeared in this play. As a project supported by the Municipal Education Commission's cultural and educational cooperation with the Luo Huaizhen Theatre Creation Art Studio of Shanghai Theatre Academy, he performed continuously for 5 days at the Shanghai Theatre Art Center. He said he practiced for three summers and found himself suffering.
"The entire scene lasted for 80 minutes, and it was up to me and four musicians. I had to remember all the details, which was a very big test." Zhang Jun admitted that during a rehearsal for a scene in the play, he almost "collapsed" on site. But he enjoys such a test very much, because his soul can be placed on the stage he loves.
On site dialogue with the creators of "Me, Hamlet"
Not long ago, a dialogue was held between the creators of "Me, Hamlet". Professor Luo Huaizhen from Shanghai Theatre Academy and doctoral supervisor of China Academy of Arts, renowned composer Jin Fuzai, the stage designer Wang Huan, butterfly guzheng performer Ning Lingjuan, and associate professor Liu Hao from Tsinghua University's Department of Foreign Languages shared their thoughts on this play.
Zhang Jun said, "Rather than portraying Hamlet, the gravedigger, Ophelia, and the soul of my father, it's more like portraying several aspects of a soul. We often have moments of hesitation, hesitation, doubt, or pain, often standing at the crossroads of life, confused about where to go. This is not just a stage question from over 400 years ago, but also a life topic that contemporary people have to face."
And "survival or destruction" is not only Shakespeare's classic stage question, but also like a mirror, reflecting reality, allowing contemporary Kunqu opera to face the "question of Hamlet" directly.
