By Michelle Zhang (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-12-14 10:27

"I want to create something artistic and entertaining," says creative Gilles Maheu who directed the French-Canadian musical "Notre Dame de Paris."

Since the musical is a relatively a new art form in China, it is still very different from musicals in Europe and needs to be entertaining, he says.

Maheu's solution is a show based on Western principles, filled with Chinese musical elements.

The 60-million-yuan (US$8.12 million) production features a world-class production team. It inclues international experts such as director Wayne Fowkes, choreographer Darren Charles, lighting designer Alain Lortie and video designer Olivier Goulet.

The soul of the play, the musical director, is versatile Chinese composer San Bao. He has blended pop and classical for the two-hour show.

"A Chinese musical should be created based on the characteristics of the Chinese language," he says. "My inspirations come from the four tones."

Renowned composer Tan Dun has praised the music as "clean and effective."

The stage will feature a huge LED screen, nine by 12 meters at the widest.

"It is more like the set for a movie," set designer Miao Peiru says. "It is hard to describe. it's based on my understanding of the 'World Terminus': the terminal of time, a shockingly beautiful place."

The lighting system employs the most advanced technologies, creating an "oil painting effect."

The role of Liang will be performed by promising young Beijing-based singer Liu Yan; Zhu will be played by the 2006 "Super Girl" winner Tan Weiwei. Famous tenor Yang Xiaoyong takes on the role of the Big Daddy.

Date: December 16-20, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave.
Tickets: 100-1,000 yuan
Tel: 021-6386-8686
In Chinese with English subtitles

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