The Temasek Hall Chinese Drama was formed in the year 2005, and was renamed as HuaYun 2 years later, in year 2007. Ever since its formation, the committee has been working hard to present the charm of Chinese culture to NUS students through high-quality dramas, and bringing across the beauty of the Chinese language as well. Today we are honored to have with us Gao Fang and Deng Keren, director and producer for this year, and share with us the details of this year’s production.
Wu Qiong(W): Hi Gao Fang and Keren. This year will HuaYun put up a performance just like in the past?
Deng Keren(D): Yes definitely. In fact out committee members have worked so hard in the past one month to prepare for this performance and I am sure that this year’s performance will be a lot better compare to the past.
W: So what is the title for the performance and how is the story like?
Gao Fang(G): The title is “Amour d’un rhinorceros”. It is actually a tragic love story between this guy, Ma Lu, and the girl whom he is madly in love with, Ming Ming. The fates of these two people are entangled together and compose this romantic story.
W: When and Where will this performance be held?
D: It will be held at UCC Theatre at 23rd Jan 2009(Friday) at 7:30pm.
W: Do you think Temasekians will like to watch this show?
G: Absolutely. In fact, anyone who has the faith in the magic of love should go and watch it. Everyone, nurtured or jeopardized, grieved or intoxicated on the journey of the seeking of true love, will grow and mature through the process, just like in the play, our Ma Lu and Ming Ming are also looking for true love, yet with their own respective, distinctive but heart-breaking ways. In the end, although love has make them suffered, hurt and wounded, it also teaches them how to be brave and to stand up with a broken heart. The affection for the important someone makes them strong enough to hold on to their choice not to succumb to their fate but to continue according to what they believe. It is just like what Ma Lu said, “To forget is something which everyone can do, but I decide to not forget her.”
W: Oh this is a sad play?
G: Not really, although the storyline is pretty sad, but there will be funny scenes as well.
W: So who is the lead for this play?
D: We have Shi Yi as our male lead and Yi Qingqing as our female lead.
G: Yi Qingqing was the director for HuaYun last year and is currently also a member of Xin Yao in Temasek Hall. Most people should have heard her singing before. In fact she will be singing two songs in the play. Shi Yi joined Temasek Hall only this year but his smart outlook makes him the perfect candidate for Ma Lu.
D: Besides them, we also have Ming Jun, Haiyang, Wang Hao, Ying Xiu, Jiang Man, Dennis, Chen pen and more in our play.
W: Wow, that sounds like you have a lot of non-PRC actors?
G: Yes, since last year HuaYun has been trying to diversify to include more non-PRC members. This year we have Ming Jun, Ying Xiu and Dennis as our main casts, as well as Lay Ying and Wendy. We even have Teshil as our guest performer. We strongly believe that locals and other non-PRCs are also capable of putting up a Chinese drama.
W: Hmmm, it seems like there are a lot to expect from this performance. Are there any other special features for this performance?
D: This year we placed much more focus on the sets team and this is definitely something to look forward to during the performance. For instance, we are going to cover the whole stage background with slanted mirrors, in order create a stereoscopic impression.
G: Furthermore, traditional HuaYun performances were purely drama performances. This year, we combined elements of a musical and Chinese drama together, and we are certain that this will add juice to our performance.
W: Well, you guys really put a lot of effort into this performance. Where can I purchase the tickets then?
D: You can contact Wang Yongyi at 82735113 to purchase tickets. Alternatively, we will also set up booth outside LT 6 on 13th (Tuesday), 14th (Wednesday) January 2009 and outside central library on 15th (Thursday), 16th (Friday) January 2009.
W: I wish you guys succeed in this performance. Any last word for the readers?
G: This is a story that I really recommend, yes you will feel the real pain of the pulling of heartstring, but more importantly, it will lead you to take another look at the concept of true love that you previously believe in. love comes with this duality that makes it so simple and difficult to explain. As the hero and heroes will agree, it’s sweet and gloomy; it’s heaven and hell; it’s the accelerated heartbeat; it’s the prick at the nerve endings… your answer might be different, but you’ll definitely find an answer at the end of the play, to this miraculous , unconditional love.
D: Besides the touch of true love, I believe you will be also impressed by the comedic talent of Dennis, Ying Xiu and Haiyang etc…. This script is regarded as the “Pioneer of Modern Chinese drama”, which has been put onto stage for many times in several versions in China, and the attendance rate is always more than 100%. More importantly, based on such a good script, we add a lot of original and innovative elements to the performance and also some creative designs to sets. Last but not least, please do visit our ticket booth also @ Temasek Hall in Week 1 and looking forward to see you in UCC at 23Jan.
