Jade Hairpin takes a modern twist
By admin on 2014-12-26

Four years ago, a modern version of The Peony Pavilion adapted by Taiwan writer and artist Pai Hsien-yung attracted the attention of audiences both at home and abroad for its bold experimentation of the traditional art genre with added modern elements. Now another classic Kunqu Opera work from Pai is set to woo audiences once again.

With exquisite costumes and an intriguing plot, the updated Kunqu Opera The Story of the Jade Hairpin is hoping to see young audiences enjoy the revamped ancient classic.

Opening this evening at Peking University Hall, the opera is Pai's newest adaptation and involves all cast members from The Peony Pavilion by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Company. It is also serving as the closing performance of the 7th Beijing International Theater and Dance Festival.

Jade Hairpin boasts modern visual effects utilizing the simplicity of oriental ink and wash drawings and simple yet elegant costumes, a stark contrast to the bold stage design of The Peony Pavilion. Pai's works sees Kunqu Opera enter a new genre with a combination of ancient painting, calligraphy and melodic tunes that resonate with modern audiences.

Similar to The Peony Pavilion, Jade Hairpin is also a work from the MingDynasty (1368-1644), a period when numerous well-known plays were produced. Written by Gao Lian, Jade Hairpin boasts dedicate dialogue and an intriguing story and has been adapted onto the stage through the mediums of Peking Opera, Shaoxing Opera and Sichuan Opera.

The work centers on the circuitous love story of scholar Pan Bizheng and Taoist nun Chen Miaochang who break traditional bondage and institution and end up together. It has been acclaimed as one of the 10 classic comedies of ancient Chinese plays.

The integration of modern elements to the classic work is aimed at introducing the art form to a wider audience. Since the debut of Pai's The Peony Pavilion in 2004, the production has been staged 181 times and was hugely popular among young audiences.

Nearly every performance drew a full house, both in China and abroad and about 75 percent of the audience were young people, according to Pai.
"Kunqu performance has in these years faded out of favor among audiences with a growing distance from modern esthetics," Pai said. "The two plays endeavor to incorporate the ancient art form with elements of modern performance."

"We want to add more popular elements to Kunqu Opera and make it both traditional and modern, evoking the beauty and vitality of the time-honored traditional play," he added. "We want it to reach more foreign audiences and at the same time attract the enthusiasm of youngsters."

Pai said that in thenew version of Jade Hairpin, young artists, the same age as the leading characters, have been cast in the roles rather than the traditionally used older, more experience performers.

"An opera will not have a glorious future unless it gains popularity among young audiences," Pai said.

In recent years, Pai has been actively promoting Kunqu Opera in a bid to revive the art form. A program aimed at rejuvenating the genre was launched last week at Peking University, which will feature academic courses, lectures and performances at the university to foster students' interest.

"Kunqu Opera is a classic art form that belongs to China and also belongs to the world. It is of high importance in the research of the history of literature, opera, music and dance," explained Ye Lang, dean of the Cultural Industries Institute at Peking University.

"To better protect the heritage, it is a good choice to introduce the art to college students, who are the backbone of the country and at the same time carriers and advocates of Kunqu Opera."

Kunqu Opera, with a history of 500 years, is credited as the oldest form of Chinese folk opera and was listed as a World Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in May 2001.