While the Contemporary Legend Theater (當代傳奇劇場) has gained fame both at home and abroad for its adaptations of the works of William Shakespeare and Franz Kafka to Chinese operatic singing and movements, it remains at heart a classic Beijing opera troupe devoted to perpetuating the art form.
The 31-year-old company, founded by Wu Hsing-kuo (吳興國), is taking over the Fanqiao Theater and environs in New Taipei City’s Banciao District (板橋) this weekend and next to stage the fourth installment of its Legend Opera (傳奇風雅) program.
This year’s festival is subtitled Youth Vitality (青年戲曲節), since the focus is on the troupe’s younger performers, giving them both a chance to shine and the chance to reach out to contemporaries who might be more interested in Popu Lady or Jay Chou (周杰倫).
Photo courtesy of Contemporary Legend Theater
Altogether the company will be presenting 12 performances during the festival, beginning tonight. However, some of the shows have been reserved by private groups, while others are already sold out. As of press time, there are still seats available for all three shows on Sunday, the 2pm matinee on Dec. 19, and the two shows on Dec. 20.
A variety of works, or excerpts from full-length works, will be performed, both genre-bending and classics.
There are three chances to see Nezha (哪吒), which premiered at the company’s last festival in 2013, on Sunday at 11am, Dec. 19 at 2pm and Dec. 20 at 11am.
Nezha, whose main character is an eternal child who rides around on wheels of fire, was specifically created to appeal to a younger audience with its tale of bloody family infighting, betrayal and friendship. The title comes from the well-known Taoist deity who is also called the Third Prince
An earlier attempt by Wu to broaden his troupe’s appeal, A Play of Brother and Sister (兄妹串戲), which premiered in 2003, will be performed at the 2:30pm show on Sunday.
The show, the first of what Wu labeled “hip-hop comedy,” features a pair of feuding siblings who act out famous passages and standard numbers from folk and historical legends — in traditional singing style and martial arts moves — to a musical score that ranges from pop music — including two songs by Emil Chou (周華健) — to hip-hop.
The 4:30pm show on Sunday features excerpts from four operas, including Lin Chong’s Night Escape (林沖夜奔), The Matchmaker (紅娘) and Wu Song and the Tiger (武松打虎).
The 4:30pm show on Dec. 20 features excerpts from four productions, including Little Cowherd (小放牛) and Judge Bao and the Qin Xiang Lian Case (鍘美案).
However, the festival is more than just theater performances. Outside the theater in the 438 Art Zone, company members will also be offering instruction on traditional Chinese opera facial make-up, providing tips and technical instruction for those wanting to test their Beijing Opera skills and Beijing opera COSPLAY sessions.
For more information on the festival, visit: youth-vitality.blogspot.tw/ (only in Chinese).
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