On the evening of January 5^th, 2017, the original large-scale Shanghai Opera DENG Shichang, directed by famous director CHEN Xinyi and rehearsed by Shanghai Opera Troupe, was premiered at NCPA Theatre. It also officially raised the curtain of “Works by famous Chinese contemporary directors” (a drama brand vigorously launched by NCPA in 2017).

Shanghai Opera DENG Shichang was co-starred by ZHU Jian, MAO Shanyu, LI Jianhua and other Shanghai Opera performing artists Photo by NIU Xiaobei

This premiered drama was co-starred by ZHU Jian, MAO Shanyu, LI Jianhua, QIAN Sijian, LING Yuegang and other Shanghai Opera performing artists. They made retrospect to the history of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, and highlighted DENG Shichang and other heros’ courage of facing death and safeguarding the homeland.

DENG Shichang highlights DENG Shichang and other heros’ courage of facing death and safeguarding the homeland

Photo by NIU Xiaobei

With the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 as the background, Shanghai Opera DENG Shichang describes comrade-in-arms affection, conjugal affection and colleague affection between DENG Shichang (Commander of the Northern Navy) and his subordinates such as LIU Buchan, HE Ruzhen and DING Ruchang. This drama extols DENG Shichang, a historical figure who joins the army at the age of 24 army and dies a martyr's death at the age of 45, eulogizes heroic emotion for supremacy of national interests, and conveys the Chinese people’s love for peace. On the evening of January 5^th, 2017, this drama, integrating Shanghai Opera and historical theme, attracted the audiences to find everything new and fresh.

This drama bridges history and contemporary era, and achieves innovations in terms of choreography, music, aria, and body movement Photo by NIU Xiaobei

MAO Shanyu (President of Shanghai Opera Troupe) comments, “The original large-scale Shanghai Opera DENG Shichang not only maintains characteristics of Shanghai Opera, but also bridges history and contemporary era, and achieves innovations at varying degrees in terms of choreography, music, aria, body movement, etc. This not only presents brisker drama rhythm and more brilliant stage effect, but also impresses people with artists’ performance, and can thoroughly carry forward the national spirit essences of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895”.

DENG Shichang is adapted from the film The Naval Battle of 1894 (1960) Photo by NIU Xiaobei

As a new repertoire, DENG Shichang is adapted and created on the basis of the film The Naval Battle of 1894 (1960) starred by famous performing artist LI Moran, and adopts “Shanghai Voice” to present a masculine story of the Qing Dynasty under military and historical theme. Director CHEN Xinyi expresses, “Our generation grows up under the influence of the film The Naval Battle of 1894 (1960) starred by LI Moran and admires this role of DENG Shichang. Now many people watch DENG Shichang and appreciate LI Moran’s creation and his charming performance. Therefore, I hereby pay my respects to Mr. LI Moran and history with this work”.

DENG Shichang creates a hero image who strives against the stream alone in dark Photo by NIU Xiaobei

The first-class cast of this drama also laid a solid foundation for success of this premiere, including famous director CHEN Xinyi in frequent cooperation with Shanghai Opera Troupe and engaged in opera, drama, traditional Chinese opera and other fields; scriptwriters JIANG Dongmin and ZHUANG Yi; Shanghai Opera actor ZHU Jian; famous Shanghai Opera artist MAO Shanyu; renowned Shanghai Opera performers LI Jianhua, QIAN Sijian and LING Yuegang, etc. Since its creation and rehearsal since 2014, DENG Shichang has been studied by the cast and meticulously refined in the past two years, with a view to introducing this major historical event. With retrospect to that war in the eyes of today's people, this drama tries to create the brave image of legendary hero who “strives against the stream alone in dark and decadent environment at that time”.

On January 8^th, 2017, Shanghai Opera DENG Shichang will be continuously on show at NCPA Theatre. Following DENG Shichang, invited plays of “Works by famous Chinese contemporary directors” will also appear on NCPA stage one after another, and impress the audiences with unforgettable watching experience throughout the year 2017.