Water town theater is a breath of fresh air
Print Edition
Thank you for the gifts,” the actor said graciously but symbolically as he welcomed 200 ticket holders to cross a bridge into Liyuan Garden in the 800-year-old water town of Zhaojialou in Pujiang Town, Minhang.
The picturesque park, built in the classic Suzhou garden style, became the natural backdrop of an open-air theater. The members of the audience became the gift-bearing guests in a performance re-creating a big family party in Zhaojialou 100 years ago.
There is no seating. People just sit wherever they can. There is no formal central stage, only performance areas. The only additions to the natural setting are the extra lanterns for nighttime performances.
The theater-in-the-park performances of the comedy “Dream Back to Zhaojialou” played to enthusiastic audiences from late September until October 20. In the 20 shows staged, actors played various members of a rich family holding a gala party in their luxury garden. The plotline is a series of amusing anecdotes.
During the two-hour show, audiences participated in festive activities, such as guessing lanterns riddles and tasting Chinese wines.
In the mood of a bygone era
“It’s really great!” said Jiang Zhaodi, an elderly member of one audience. “It was joyful, like a dream. When I entered the park, I suddenly felt that I was part of a big family celebration 100 years ago.”
Director Tong Ruimin said the natural setting of the ancient water town adds an authentic touch to the performance and sweeps the audience into the mood of a bygone era.
“This outdoor theater is delicate and beautiful, replacing a contrived production and artificial stage,” said Tong, who has participated in several cultural projects in Pujiang Town, including the founding of a museum featuring renowned actress Qing Yi and an art galley in Zhaojialou. “The audience has direct contact and communication with the actors. They are also playing roles.”
It’s not surprising that Zhaojialou would host such an unique event. The ancient town has always played a big part in the cultural development of Shanghai.
Located a mere 18 kilometers from city center, it has been designated as one of Shanghai’s 32 key historical and cultural sites.
The theater-in-the-park concept using natural scenery as the backdrop was originally created by the Shanghai Theater Academy. Fifty students and graduates from the academy took part in the latest production. They wore the costumes of a century ago.
“This theater drama is a challenge for me,” said Wu Hao, a graduate from the Shanghai Theater Academy who acted in the show. “We are performing without any microphones or other sound amplification.”
In rainy weather, the show must go on. The actors donned ancient raincoats and held traditional umbrellas made of oily paper.
“Our performances have been a great attraction for tourists,” Wu said during the show’s run. “We have got a lot of good feedback from officials in Pujiang and the Minhang District.”
Director Tong said the open-air theater goes beyond traditional tourism promotion.
“It’s not merely for tourism,” he said. “Zhaojialou is charming enough in itself to attract visitors. What we are trying to do is build a cultural profile for Pujiang, which has much longer history than the city center of Shanghai.”
Indeed, Zhaojialou dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368) and was one of Shanghai’s earliest agricultural civilizations. The name originates from a bell tower that once rang every morning to call farmers to their fields.
Historic look of water town
Zhaojialou reopened to the public in 2010 after three years of extensive restoration work to re-create the look and mood of its early days. Included in the development project were memorial halls for the Shanghai temple god Qin Yubo and Ming Dynasty water conservation expert Ye Zongxing.
Local officials are proud of the restoration.
“Tourists can come here and enjoy the tranquility and uniqueness of an ancient water town,” said Ni Yueting, deputy governor of Pujiang Town. “This is the historic look of a water town in the Yangtze River Delta region.”
Beyond theater-in-the-park, visitors can stroll the streets of the old town, taking snapshots of picturesque houses and official buildings. They can visit museums and meander along riverside paths that cross vintage stone bridges. Boat trips along the canals are also available.
Tong is a great enthusiast of “scenery culture” art. He is planning a show on the Great Wall in Beijing, combining the ancient wall with calligraphy art.
“Dream Back to Zhaojiaolou” is the first in a “dream back” series. It will be revived in December to run through New Year celebrations.
“I want this to become a continuing cultural feature of Zhaojialou,” Tong said. “And we will improve it as we go.”
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