At a recent recording of the Qixi Festival special program "China's Finest Arts," Mao Weitao, the renowned Yueju opera performer and recipient of the Chinese Theatre Plum Blossom Grand Prize, joined forces with Zhang Yiqing, winner of the 31st Chinese Theatre Plum Blossom Award, to stage a segment from the new adaptation of "Butterfly Lovers: The Eighteen Farewells." On stage, Mao's refined demeanor and expressive eyes brought the character of Liang Shanbo to life with remarkable depth, capturing both his simple honesty and profound affection.
Mao's journey with Yueju began at age 17 when she was admitted to the Tongxiang Yueju Troupe, marking the start of a lifelong bond. Over more than four decades in the arts, she has risen from a young performer on stage to a leading figure in the Yueju world, starring in dozens of productions including "The Romance of the Western Chamber," "Lu You and Tang Wan," "Su Dongpo," and the new "Butterfly Lovers." Reflecting on her career, she emphasizes that the most enduring trait running through Yueju's veins is its spirit of innovation.
Tracing the 120-year evolution of Yueju opera, every major leap forward has been driven by artistic practices that embraced the times and dared to reform. Over a century ago, Yueju pioneers ventured into Shanghai, broadening their horizons and absorbing diverse influences to rejuvenate the art form. Mao believes that today's Yueju must cast its gaze even wider to the world, not only bringing outstanding productions to grander stages but also resonating with the contemporary era, telling stories that are distinctly Chinese yet both ancient and youthful. In her view, preserving tradition serves as the foundation, while innovation fuels vitality.
In 2006, to commemorate the centennial of Yueju, Mao and her creative team staged the new "Butterfly Lovers" based on the principle of "old with new, heart rooted in tradition." The production stays true to its roots while also incorporating the violin concerto "Butterfly Lovers," which itself originally drew from Yueju musical elements, creating a two-way dialogue between tradition and modernity. The use of folding fans stands as a major innovation in the new production's stagecraft, serving not only to shape characters but also to convey emotion and spirit. When the two fans come together, younger audiences perceive a contemporary aesthetic of "flying wing to wing."
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the new "Butterfly Lovers." Mao sees innovation as keeping pace with the times and growing with the flow. Facing ever-changing audience tastes and performance dynamics, traditional opera must break through fixed expressions, refresh its stage language, and integrate modern aesthetics so that classic art can truly live in the present. The key to creating works lies in grasping their universality, contemporaneity, and timelessness. Works must respond to contemporary audiences' emotional and aesthetic needs while transcending specific times and places, touching on shared human emotions and enduring spiritual themes. Only then can they connect with today's audiences and withstand the test of time.
In 2023, Mao served as producer, general producer, and artistic director for the Yueju production "New Dragon Gate Inn." The show reimagined the audience-performer relationship through an immersive staging format, winning over many young viewers, while young actors leveraged short-video social platforms to elevate Yueju's profile significantly. Despite the surge in popularity following Yueju's breakout, Mao remains clear-headed. She believes that Yueju's visibility, affection, and spread among young people represent both a gift of the era and the fruit of generations of Yueju practitioners' dedication. While traffic brings opera into the public eye, gives young actors more opportunities to be seen, and injects fresh energy into the industry, the heat also presents a test. What truly sustains actors and works over the long haul remains solid skills, sincere creation, and pure intention. Yueju should grow through attention but must also distill fleeting popularity into lasting strength and quality productions.
"Never treat the stage as a place for fame and fortune, only as a lifelong passion for Yueju." As she spoke, Mao gently closed the folding fan in her hand. The fan's rise and fall encapsulates her four decades of dedication and love. When that fan is passed to young actors, it carries not just a stage prop but a weighty responsibility and trust.
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