From January 15^th to 22^nd, NCPA new drama production February will be put on the stage. Numerous artists will join to reproduce this classic work in modern Chinese literary history. On December 11^th, a press conference was held for the premiere of drama February. ZHAO Tiechun, vice president of NCPA, and director LI Liuyi attended the press conference together with leading performers WANG Wei, LU Fang, HUANG Wei, OU Ning, and WANG Haowei. They shared the creative motives and highlights with the media.

NCPA has successively presented Chinese and foreign literature classics on its stage, e.g. Jane Eyre, Rickshaw Boy, Massage, The Dawns Here Are Quiet. The upcoming February is adapted from a classic novel of the same name by writer ROU Shi. Vice president ZHAO Tiechun said: “On the stage of NCPA, many art works adapted from literary classics were performed. These classics have longstanding vitality. This time, we produce February to salute the classics and the authors behind them.”

ZHAO Tiechun, vice president of NCPA attended the press conference.
Photo by NIU Xiaobei

As a writer and a revolutionary martyr, ROU Shi died at a young age of 29. He composed many excellent works, such as novel February, novel As a Slave Mother, reportage A Great Impression. His works are of major significance to the era and rich in artistic value and aesthetic characteristics. French writer Romain Rolland was touched by his creation. ROU Shi earned his place in the modern Chinese literary world by February, which is mature in creative style and profound in content. Out of appreciation, Mr. LU Xun wrote the novel a foreword. Moreover, Early Spring, a reworking film of the novel and directed by XIE Tieli, was also a classic in the history of Chinese film.

NCPA invites LI Liuyi, a drama director with international influence to direct this drama

Photo by NIU Xiaobei

Furong Town, where the story happens, reappears in the drama. The strong character of left-wing writers is manifested by the experience and sentiment of intellectual XIAO Jainqiu, and the then social phenomena were reflected by the “utopian” Furong Town. NCPA invites LI Liuyi, a drama director with international influence to direct this drama; he directed drama King Lear in the former cooperation with NCPA. Through in-depth study of the literary works and thoughts of the May Fourth Period, the director sets a high standard for the performers and modifies the stage art design to perfection. To the director, there are three narrative lines of February, i.e. story, music and the masses. Thus, music will make up a large proportion of the drama; in light of this reason, CHEN Qigang, a distinguished composer, was invited specially into the creative team.

 

Actor WANG Wei, who performed excellently in Stan Lai’s work Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land, will act XIAO Jianqiu. In addition to acting, he will also play a set of original piano music in the drama. TAO Lan, the lover of XIAO Jainqiu, will be portrayed by LU Fang, a sophisticated actress who has acted in Teahouse, White Dear Plain, Antigone, The Cherry Orchard, and Uncle Vanya. Besides, young actress HUANG Wei, young actor OU Ning and WANG Haowei, a member of NCPA Drama Ensemble, will play the part of Wensao, TAO Mukan, and QIAN Zhengxing respectively.