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2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 120th anniversary of Chen Tiejun's birth. In order to pay tribute to the 24-year-old daughter of Foshan who has forever fixed her life, the large-scale Cantonese opera "Iron Army" lasted three years and was performed twice in a row at the new site of Foshan Cantonese Opera Company on June 27 and 28. The repertoire highlights the growth process of a young man, integrates modern stage techniques, and makes innovative use of Cantonese opera music, which won warm applause from the audience.
She grew up in conflict and contradictions
The large-scale Cantonese opera "Iron Army" is produced and starred by Li Shuqin, director of Foshan Cantonese Opera Company and winner of the Plum Blossom Award, Sun Zuping, professor of Shanghai Theater Academy, and Li Xinhua, vice president of Guangzhou Institute of Literary and Artistic Creation and first-class playwright, as screenwriters, and Long Junjie, former director of the Performance Department of Shanghai Theater Academy, as directors.
The curtain opened, and the time turned back to 1928: Chen Tiejun, who was betrayed by a traitor, was arrested and imprisoned and tortured in Guangzhou, and the person who came to try her was actually an old man, and her background was recognized: Chen Tiejun, formerly known as Chen Xiejun, was born in Foshan in 1904 in a wealthy overseas Chinese businessman family, and received a good education in Foshan Jihua Girls' Primary School, Guangzhou Kunwei Girls' Middle School, and Guangdong University (that is, Sun Yat-sen University).
In the first half of the play, by tracing the name "Chen Xiejun", it tells the story of how a young girl grew into a revolutionary soldier. At first, she witnessed the persecution of women in her family by arranged marriages, and pondered the meaning of life and marriage. After escaping to Guangzhou, she met the first guide, Sister Gu Yun. Sister Gu Yun took care of Tie Jun's life and helped him grow in thought.
After experiencing a series of ups and downs, including the Shaji tragedy, she soberly realized that the only way to truly liberate the nation and the people to be truly happy is to carry out a resolute struggle with the Communist Party.
Her life was frozen at the age of 24
In the second half of the play, Chen Tiejun looks back at "our warm home" after being tortured.
In Guangzhou, she met Zhou Wenyong, the second guide in her life, and the two pretended to be husband and wife to carry out revolutionary activities under the leadership of the party.
Because their residence is a secret liaison station, which is full of humor, alertness and thrilling stories, after their unfortunate arrest, the two confide their true feelings, use gunfire as a salute, and hold a "wedding on the execution ground", freezing their lives at the age of 24.
"I'm not playing Chen Tiejun, but Chen Tiejun has entered my heart and integrated into my life!" The actress Li Shuqin said that women in different eras can resonate in the air, and Chen Tiejun inspired her to persistently pursue her "Cantonese opera dream".
"This play is full of positive energy and shocks the audience." "Since this is not a traditional Cantonese opera, we have explored and innovated in music, using film soundtracks and incorporating Cantonese opera songs, which are just like musicals and widely accepted by the audience," said Peng Chiquan, a Cantonese opera guru who came to watch the opera. ”
The play also surprised many college students who came to watch the play. Zhang Huidong, a student from Neusoft University, said: "The Iron Army contains the charm of Cantonese opera, which can reflect our local traditional classics and make young audiences feel the cultural appeal. ”
"Revolutionaries can also show a fearless spirit in the moment of life and death, which is worth learning from our modern young people." Audience Lin Xujing said.
Chen Shiqing, a teacher at Neusoft College, said that the college is working with the Foshan Cantonese Opera Company to build a practice base for college students and create an IP of "Cantonese singing and Cantonese opera". "Chen Tiejun has many guides on his growth journey, and I also hope to lead my students to complete our projects and carry forward the Lingnan heritage culture." She said.
Text/Foshan News Media Center reporter Huang Heting
Photo/Foshan News Media Center reporters Pang Weijie and Huang Heting
Video/Foshan News and Media Center reporters Huang Heting and Pang Weijie