Redefining classic Chinese drama through modern theater
Upon stepping into the world of classical Chinese musical drama in 2004, theater director Dai Jung-fang (戴君芳) finds that the more she learns, the more she realizes how much more depth there is to drama. Her “not knowing about drama,” nevertheless, pushes her closer to drama. “I have the ambition to conquer!” expressed Dai about her reason for redefining classic drama through modern theater.
“What is so charming about theater is it is a venue that can redefine space and time,” said Dai. Her experience in theater thus allows her to discover new ways of telling stories through integrating modern elements with traditional opera. With such experimental spirit, Dai established the 1/2 Q Theatre with Kunqu opera performer Yang Han-ru (楊汗如) to continue her exploration of classical Chinese opera and create pieces that are half theater and half Kunqu.
Dai believes that different elements and materials can create more dialogue if they are placed in the right place, which is just like the concept of architecture. The difference between building a house and creating a drama is that Dai never draws a blueprint to limit her development of each production. Instead, she constantly experiments with different elements in an attempt to reinterpret the original setting and presentation of traditional opera freely.
During the process of creation, Dai and the performers had to try various forms of presentation as well as approaches to dialogue. Her innovative approach didn’t go well at first; however, she managed to find harmony between modern and traditional aesthetics after several attempts and modifications.
One of the most recognizable characteristics Dai established for 1/2 Q Theatre is the creative stage design as well as the unique – even quirky – installation art. Dai has brought modern materials such as seesaws, Econovans, and large, rotating round tables into her productions to create a new brand of aesthetics by overlapping classical literature with modern visual effects.
Instead of seeking to modernize drama, Dai learns as she explores different classical plays and turns her new knowledge into an ever-evolving directing style. In 2017, she participated in the production of “Sunlight after Snowfall (快雪時晴)” by the GuoGuang Opera Company, which was another challenge that she conquered among her theatrical experiments.
To Dai, character illustration and illumination are at the core of her screenplays. She not only gives new meanings to imaginative and timeless characters but also reconsiders how to truly connect the characters with symbolic objects in the drama.
1/2 Q Theatre
1/2 Q Theatre established by Dai seeks to coax out the beauty of Kunqu opera through modern theatrical presentations without losing the aesthetics of traditional opera … (read more)