Tainaner Ensemble (台南人劇團) returns to the stage this weekend with Mulan (木蘭少女), its interpretation of Hua Mulan (花木蘭), the Chinese legend about a girl who disguises herself as a man to join the army. The musical opens tonight at Taipei’s National Theater.
While the original tale glorifies the nationalistic and familial ideals of Confucianism through the actions of its heroine, Tainaner’s version turns the ancient version on its head by touching on gender issues, identity politics and homosexuality.
“Many Chinese legends lend themselves to a contemporary treatment because they contain these elements” in a rudimentary form, said the musical’s playwright Tsai Pao-chang (蔡柏璋), who cited the Butterfly Lovers (梁山伯與祝英台) as another example of an ancient story that transplants well.
Photo courtesy of Tainaner Ensemble
“In ancient times, women had no freedom to go anywhere. So the woman had to disguise herself as a man,” he added.
With Tainaner’s version, Mulan, the central protagonist, is far from heroic. Unconcerned about her family’s reputation or her country’s security, she loafs around the house all day, only getting off the couch to go shopping.
Annoyed with their daughter’s laziness and short of cash, Mulan’s parents force her to don men’s clothing and join the army. The deceit works — and with predictable consequences.
A childhood friend fails to see through the disguise and falls in love with her. So too does an officer, who is gay. The love triangle that emerges finds Mulan undergoing several trials that threaten to reveal her true identity.
The large-scale performance consists of 25 actors and a live orchestra performing 18 original songs written for the production. The sumptuous costumes and lavishly constructed sets reproduce a military barracks and offer a taste of traditional Taiwanese village life, both of which are caricatured to great effect.
Mulan runs at Taipei’s National Theater (國家戲劇院) today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
Additional performances will be held on Jan. 21, Jan. 22 and Jan. 23. Tickets cost from NT$600 to NT$2,800 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
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