Romance and wisdom

By Chen Jie (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-26 11:10

The blockbuster movie Red Cliff (released July 2008) directed by John Woo and starring Tony Leung, Chiu-Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi and Lin Chi-ling has revived Chinese people's interest in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Although the Hong Kong director's interpretation differs from the widely accepted Chinese tale and may disappoint loyal fans of the original novel by Luo Guanzhong, the star-studded cast, the spectacular battle scene and people's admiration for Woo still helped make the movie a box-office hit this summer.

The movie has inspired the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) to create a Peking Opera adaptation to celebrate its first anniversary.

The NCPA commissioned Zhang Jigang, who assisted Zhang Yimou in his direction of the Olympics Opening Ceremony, and an A-list cast of performers.

Zhang tells the famous story of the battle at Chibi (the red cliff) in 208 AD through a six-act Peking Opera. In the final days of the Han Dynasty, shrewd Prime Minister Cao Cao convinces the fickle Emperor that the only way to unite China is to declare war on the Wu kingdom in the south, then attacks Wu on an unprecedented scale. The only hope of survival for the kingdoms of Wei and Wu is to form an unlikely alliance. Numerous battles ensue, both on land and on water, culminating in the battle of Red Cliff.

The acclaimed director stresses the friendly relationship between Wu general Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang from Wei and gives Zhou a more historically accurate treatment. That's exactly what Woo did in the movie so it seems great minds think alike.

People have always thought of Zhou as a very stingy man and intensely jealous of Zhuge's greater talents. Here, however, Zhou and Zhuge admire each other and their friendship helps the alliance win the war.

"Peking Opera and other Chinese local operas have many adaptations of the episodes of the Three Kingdom stories," says director Zhang. "The Battle of Red Cliff is one of the popular ones so it's challenging to make, because Chinese people know this story and the characters so well.

"I've directed ballet, musical, opera but never a Peking Opera. My 92-year-old mum is a big fan of Peking Opera, so I would like to do one for her."

Leading Peking Opera actor Yu Kuizhi plays Zhege, Meng Guanglu, famous for painted-face roles, is Cao Cao, Li Hongtu is Zhou while the actress Li Shengsu plays Xiao Qiao, Zhou's pretty and charming wife.

The show will run at NCAP until December 29 when the bubble theater celebrates its first anniversary.

7:30 pm, until Dec 29

West of Tian'anmen Square

6655-0000