Highly acclaimed Shanghai dialect drama "Blossoms" (Part I) to make its debut in Hong Kong in April (with photos)
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"Blossoms" is adapted from a novel of the same name by renowned contemporary novelist Jin Yucheng, which won the Mao Dun Literature Prize. The story is set against the backdrop of the ever-changing city of Shanghai and the evolving times, depicting the growth and lives of three young friends and other ordinary people in the city, and painting a vivid picture of life in Shanghai across time. Playwright Wen Fangyi interprets the destinies of the characters from a unique perspective and adopts modern stagecraft to portray their emotional worlds, turning a literary work into a cross-genre work. Shanghai dialect will be spoken throughout the whole performance which will allow audiences to immerse themselves in the intense atmosphere and culture of Shanghai.
The story follows Abao, who was born in a capitalist family and is fond of the girl next door, Beidi. Husheng, son of an air force cadre, adores the proud and aloof Shuhua. Working-class Xiaomao develops a relationship with Yinfeng, the wife of a sailor and a neighbour. Later on, Abao's family falls on hard times and Beidi disappears, while Shuhua moves to Jilin. Xiaomao misunderstands Yinfeng when their affair comes to light, and ends his friendship with Abao and Husheng. Having gone through ups and downs, the three meet again by chance in the 1990s.
The theatre production of "Blossoms" is co-produced by SMG LIVE and V+theatre. The play has been well received since its first public performance, and won the Best Innovative Play Award at the 2nd Chinese Theatre Awards in 2018, as well as two other awards, namely the Annual Play Award and the Best Playwright Award at the 2019 Shanghai One Drama Awards. It was also one of the plays invited to be staged at the 21st China Shanghai International Arts Festival.
"Blossoms" (Part I) will be performed in Shanghai dialect with Chinese and English surtitles. It will be held at 7.30pm on April 28 (Friday), at 2.15pm and 7.30pm on April 29 (Saturday) and at 2.15pm on April 30 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Each performance will run about three hours and 15 minutes, including an intermission. Tickets priced at $220, $320 and $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A meet-the-artist session in Putonghua will be held after the performance on April 30 (Sunday). For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/programs_1485.html.
Ends/Friday, March 10, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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