Following the success of "A Midsummer-night's Dream" in July, the Godot Theatre Company (
"The first version was like a sketch, simple yet specific; the second an oil painting, rich in color and emotions," said director Liang Chi-ming (梁志民). "The third a water color painting simple and comfortable; and the fourth an old photo, cherishable and nostalgic."
Liang added that the fifth version is like a Chinese painting because of the picturesque stage background.
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
The play made its debut in 1989, one year after the company was established.
"The main theme of the play is the relationship between people and the universe, how people should cherish what they have, and how to learn to cope with the life's difficulties and to coexist with the universe," Liang said.
The story is about everyday life in the pristine little town of Tamsui, and revolves around the life of one young man, Chen Shao-wei (
In the story, Chen and Ai were neighbors since childhood and later fall in love and get married.
One of the main characters is the "stage manager," played by singer Tsai Chin (
"I feel like a tour guide taking the audience across time and space," Tsai said.
"The audience might think it's just a show when they're watching it, but actually it may end up being part of their life when they go home, and that's my mission in this play."
Performing in a stage play is something different for Tsai, who has spent the past few years participating in musicals.
"Compared to my last performance [the musical, "The Angel Never Sleeps," which debuted in November 1998], it's more difficult because I talk more than sing this time," she said.
"I feel like the membrane between the egg shell and the egg white because I'm the bridge between the audience and the cast."
There are few stage props, performers instead have to mime the actions of eating, washing, and writing.
The music was composed and is played by Hong Kong composer Chris Babida (
Babida has written 10 new accompaniments for the play and recomposed six songs adopted from famous old Chinese songs. He also improvises certain music on the spot when he "feels things are right," he said.
The performance will continue in Taipei through Dec. 31, and is slated to travel to Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung, and Hsinchu.
Part of the proceeds from the show will go to Tzu Chi Foundation's 921 earthquake reconstruction fund. For more information, call the company at 2593-5070.
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