Synopsis:
Departing from the Yellow River at dawn,
Arriving at the Black Mountain by dusk.
No sound of parents calling for their daughter,
Only the cries of nomadic horsemen at Yan Mountain.
— "The Ballad of Mu Lan"
Following the well-received "The Warlords" in 2022, Ding Yi Music Company and theatre director Danny Yeo join forces once again to present an instrumental theatre production, "Hua Mu Lan", blending literature, Chinese chamber music and drama.
During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Wei and Rouran nations were at war for over a hundred years, causing endless suffering and devastation. In a world torn by chaos and strife, the people faced great hardships. To save her father, Hua Mu Lan boldly defied his orders and enlisted in the army in his place. She then courageously defied the emperor's commands, continuing to fight for her father's honour.
Amidst the ravages of war, how will Hua Mu Lan hold on to her humanity? How can she extinguish the flames of battle and stop the cycle of violence? In these turbulent times, how do we uphold humanity and our conscience?
Combining original compositions of Chinese chamber music and theatre, let us re-examine the meaning of war, reflecting on female identity, and re-interpreting the legendary story of a modern-day Mu Lan.
This production is jointly presented with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
Creative Team
Conductor: Wong De Li, Dedric
Director: Danny Yeo
Composer: Sulwyn Lok
Playwright: Neo Hai Bin
Yangqin: Tan Jie Qing
Actress: Jodi Chan
旦辞黄河去
暮至黑山头
不闻爷娘唤女声
但闻燕山胡骑声啾啾
——《木兰辞》
鼎艺团与剧场导演杨君伟继2022年备受好评的《楚霸王》后,再次携手合作,结合文学、华乐与戏剧,呈现史诗器乐剧《花木兰》。
魏晋南北朝,魏国与柔然两国相争,百余年来,战火不熄,生灵涂炭。
天下大乱,百姓遇难。花木兰为了救父亲,先是违抗父令,代父从军;再又违抗皇令,替父征战。
在战火的冲击下,花木兰该如何把持人性?在燃起的战火中,花木兰如何浇熄暴力的因果?
在大时局下,我们如何秉持人性与良知?
兼容华乐、原创音乐、戏剧元素,鼎艺团乐手与本地优秀演员精心打造《花木兰》,重审战争的意义、凝视女性的身份、演绎现代花木兰的传奇故事。
该制作是与新加坡华族文化中心联合呈现的。
创作团队
指挥:黄德励
导演:杨君伟
作曲家:骆思卫
编剧:梁海彬
扬琴:陈洁卿
演员:陈佩文