On March 16th, the inaugural performance of the real-scene show "1911 Revolution: the Choice in Guangzhou" took place at the Memorial Hall of the March 29th Uprising Headquarters. Based on historical documents of the Guangzhou Uprising in 1911, the performance recreated the spirit of the heroes in the former headquarters.
The play revolves around the intense debates among revolutioners Huang Xing, Yu Peilan, and others on whether to launch an armed uprising in Guangzhou. Challenged by a scarcity of weapons, increased vigilance from the troops of the Qing Dynasty, and insufficient rebel forces, they had to make the difficult choice of whether to proceed with the planned uprising or temporarily suspend it.
Instead of adopting traditional forms of stage plays, the director ingeniously utilized the actors' transitions to fully showcase the architectural characteristics of the former headquarters, a typical Lingnan-style residence. The actors' immersive performances brought new vitality to the historical site and revived the spirits of the revolutionary martyrs.
The play features characters such as Huang Xing, Yu Peilan, Lin Shishuang, Hong Chengdian, and Yao Yuping. They are by staff and volunteers from the Guangzhou Museum, as well as students from the Guangzhou Sport University and the Jinan University.
According to the staff from the Guangzhou Museum, as the "Cross-Straits Exchange Base," the Memorial Hall of the March 29th Uprising Headquarters has been committed to enhancing cross-strait communication and cooperation. In this performance, they specially invited a student from Taiwan province, now studying at Jinan University to play the role of Yao Yuping, aiming to enhance the sense of national belonging and ethnic identity of the youth from Taiwan province, while promoting communication and interaction between Guangzhou city and Taiwan province.
Immersive performances held at historical sites have become a popular form of popularization and education in recent years, which not only carries the weight of history but also demonstrates the progress of the times and the changing aesthetics of the audience. It is also learned that the Memorial Hall of the March 29th Uprising Headquarters will continue to refine the script of "1911 Revolution: the Choice in Guangzhou," enrich its content, and strive to make it a brand event for cross-strait exchange. After the premiere, additional performances will be scheduled irregularly, allowing the audience to witness that difficult choice made over a hundred years ago in person.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
