Musical puts Chang'an at center stage
Adapting suspense novel into theater production proves a challenge that is overcome with Tang Dynasty finesse, Cheng Yuezhu reports.
The novel depicts a series of intertwining events that unravels the conspiracy and averts the crisis within 24 hours, or 12 shichen (a term referring to a two-hour time period in the traditional Chinese timekeeping system).
Despite the single-day format, the two-volume novel comprises around 500,000 Chinese characters. Condensing it into a 210-minute stage production proved challenging, says Hu Xiaoqing, the production's director.
"After each run-through, we made adjustments or deleted scenes, but the story has a lot of foreshadowing necessary for the audience's comprehension," Hu says.
"Other things we felt obliged to keep include an introduction to the architecture, the imperial government organization, and some unique Chinese language expressions. It is important to convey Chinese cultural elements in addition to telling a story."
