Wei Chunrong star of ‘Jade Hairpin’
Print Edition
WEI Chunrong, a celebrated artist from the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater will bring local fans a complete version of the classic “The Story of the Jade Hairpin” on May 29, a program of the serial Kunqu Opera performances from May 28 to June 5 at the Shanghai Grand Theater.
Although Wei has depicted Du Liniang, the daughter of an ancient county official featured in “The Peony Pavilion,” Chen Miaochang — the dynamic and vivid heroine of “The Story of the Jade Hairpin” is her favorite.
“Compared with Du, a perfect and elegant lady, the Taoist nun Chen is more passionate, straigthforward and down to earth,” says Wei, 44.
The play tells the hilarious love story between Chen and a young scholar named Pan Bizheng. The two send messages of love under the moon by playing the lute. Chen also bravely expresses her love in a poem. Emotional interaction between the couple are delicate, amusing and touching.
Wei will also play Wang Xifeng in “A Dream of Red Mansions,” which is based on a literary classic on June 4 and 5.
Wei started to learn Kunqu Opera at the Beijing Opera Art School when she was only 10 years old. At age 30, Wei won the 21st Plum Blossom Prize — the highest theatrical award in China. Her credits also include the title of “best theater performer” of the Shanghai Magnolia Stage Performance Awards, which honors outstanding theater performers.
Wei is adept at portraying delicate emotions and moods of huadan (vivacious young female roles). In her spare time, Wei usually spends hours practicing varied facial expressions and postures in front of a mirror.
“Kunqu Opera, with a history of more than 600 years, is so profound and beautiful that it took me more than 10 years to really get close and understand it,” Wei says. “With its diverse vocals, exquisite scenes and music, Kunqu Opera is one of the most complete and perfect artistic presentations on stage.”
Over the past decades, Wei has also witnessed the vicissitude of Kunqu Opera. The late 1980s to 1990s were difficult for the theater, when the market of Kunqu Opera was shrinking. Many of Wei’s classmates quit but she didn’t give up, even if only three people were watching the performance.
It was not until 2001 when Kunqu Opera was honored by UNESCO as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” that new vibrancy was revived in the market and a younger generation of fans began to be nurtured.
“Refined Kunqu Opera plays have also taught me philosophies about life and love,” Wei adds. “Being an actress, I have completely different life experiences on stage. I really enjoy my time on stage.”
Recently Wei and other Kunqu Opera artists Yuan Guoliang and Zhu Bingzhen were also invited to give lectures about the development and charm of the opera on the opening day at Shanghai Grand Theater. She has also performed classic Kunqu Opera excerpts for school children.
Public lectures and workshops, in her eyes, are important and effective to provide young people with an insight into the Kunqu Opera’s original charm and its oriental aesthetics.
‘The Story of the Jade Hairpin’
Date: May 29, 2pm
‘A Dream of Red Mansions’
Date: June 4-5, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater
Address: 300 People’s Ave
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