Today, March 27, is World Theatre Day. The stages of Guangdong are set to host a series of enthralling performances. Let's step into the theatre and witness the diverse lives portrayed on stage.
Kunqu Opera: The Peony Pavilion
One of the most celebrated Kunqu Opera plays, The Peony Pavilion, will be staged at the Guangzhou Opera House on March 29 and March 30. The play, produced and performed by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, consists of three chapters and 55 acts and lasts for eight hours.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Written by Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), The Peony Pavilion tells the story of the romance between Du Liniang, a daughter of a wealthy official, and Liu Mengmei, a talented but poor young scholar in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). With its fervent romanticism and intricate plots, it has become a significant milestone in the history of Chinese dramatic literature.
Time: 19:30, March 29 (Part 1); 14:30, March 30 (Part 2); 19:30, March 30 (Part 3)
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院歌剧厅)
Add.: No. 1, Zhujiang West Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区珠江新城珠江西路1号)
Rock Musical: Chinese adaptation of Next to Normal
Broadway rock musical Next to Normal sheds light on the struggles of Diana Goodman, a mother battling bipolar disorder after the death of her infant son, and the impact of her condition on familial relationships. It won three Tony Awards in 2009 and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama the following year.
(Photo: Guangdong Art Theatre)
A Chinese version of this musical will take to the stage at the Guangdong Art Theatre, blending popular ballads, guitar rock, and exquisite lyrical narratives, rivaling even operatic compositions.
Time: 20:00, March 29; 15:00 and 20:00, March 30
Venue: Guangdong Art Theatre (广东艺术剧院)
Duration: About 145 minutes (including a 15-minute intermission)
Add.: No. 1229, Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (广州市天河区广州大道中1229号)
Musical: Don Juan
Don Juan, one of the most popular French musicals, will visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen during this 20th anniversary year of its premiere.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Don Juan is a legendary aristocratic playboy and seducer of Spanish folklore. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a cultural icon, inspiring numerous artistic works across literature, drama, music, and film. Unlike most portrayals, this upcoming musical offers a contemporary twist by delving into Don Juan's entanglement in the realms of love.
Guangzhou:
Time: 19:30, April 12; 14:00 and 19:30, April 13 to April 14
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院歌剧厅)
Shenzhen:
Time: 19:30, April 19; 14:00 and 19:30, April 20 to April 21
Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater (深圳保利剧院)
Add.: Intersection of Wenxin Road 5 and Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen (深圳南山区后海滨路与文心五路交界处深圳保利剧院)
Drama: Rhinoceros in Love
Directed by Meng Jinghui, the Chinese avant-garde drama Rhinoceros in Love is renowned for its innovative storytelling and profound philosophy on love. This drama tells the unrequited love of a rhino feeder, Ma Lu, for his neighbor, Ming Ming. Rather than a simple love story, it is more about an allegory and concern for humanity's inner world and the values, significance, and even false illusions in life.
(Photo: Guangdong Friendship Theater)
Since its premiere in 1999, Rhinoceros in Love has been staged more than 3,000 times in nine versions. It is also regarded as the "Bible of love for youngsters" by many audiences.
Guangzhou:
Time: 19:30, April 12 to April 13; 14:30, April 14
Venue: Guangdong Friendship Theater (广东省友谊剧院)
Add.: No. 696 Renmin Bei Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区人民北路696号)
Shenzhen:
Time: 20:00, April 18 to April 20; 14:30, April 20 to April 21
Venue: Theater Hall, Futian Cultural Hall (福田文体中心·戏剧主题馆星空剧场)
Add.: No. 3006 Fuqiang Road, Futian District, Shenzhen (深圳福田区福强路3006号)
Dance Drama: Blooming Life
The new dance dramaBlooming Life created by the Guangdong Song and Dance Theatre will premiere at the Guangzhou Opera House on April 26 and April 27. This production unfolds against the backdrop of a flower shop, where a mother and son rediscover their bond under the guiding motif of blossoms, transcending barriers and forging new connections.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Time: 19:30, April 26 to April 27
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院歌剧厅)
【Tickets Giveaway】
GDToday has prepared six tickets to "The Peony Pavilion" (19:30, March 29; 14:30 & 19:30, March 30). One lucky fan will get all the tickets.
All you need to do is leave one comment below, sharing with us your theatre experience in Guangdong, and another comment with your contact information (name, nationality, WeChat ID and phone number, which won't be posted). We will select one lucky subscriber and give away the tickets.
Deadline: 11 am on March 29, 2024
Reporter | Holly
Poster | Mia
Editor | Nan, Monica, James
