Tue, April 24, 2012
You may know it better as Dream of the Red Chamber, but it’s also known as The Story of the Stone, one of the most revered works in classic Chinese literature. In Jia Baoyu we get an inspired take on the story that has been retold countless times on stage and in film. Director Lin Yihua and actress Denise Ho put this tale in a modern context, dressing the cast in tight skirts and high heels, and envisioning the Grand View Garden as the streets of today’s Shanghai or Beijing. Popular modern slang, internet buzzwords and even references to time travel are littered throughout the dialogue (mainly Mandarin). The plot is based on the Cantonese opera The Story of the Stone, but the ending—don’t worry, we won’t spoil it—is a surprise. Lin Yinhua is known for his previous renditions of Water Margin and Journey to the West, while Denise Ho co-produces and performs. The duo have concentrated on the themes of faith and self-realization in this version of the tale, so be prepared for an introspective evening. In Chinese, with some English and Chinese subtitles. ¥80-880.
DETAILS
What: Jia Baoyu
Where: Beijing Exhibition Center Theater
When: Sun., Apr. 29-Tue., May 1, 7:30pm
Tel: 6417-7845, 400-610-3721
