While his singing voice is pure and strong, as it has to be, even more effective are his delicately executed mannerisms and sly demeanour, as if Shi knows he got away with the performance of a lifetime. Shi, the opera singer, and Cheng owns the role, without, it’s important to note, dressing in drag. The story is told mainly from the perspective of Mr.

The interplay between the piano, marimba and assorted gongs makes for a fascinating musical conversation. It’s never overbearing and always perfectly suited to the drama unfolding on stage. A brilliant composer, Kie weaves together Western opera (Puccini, take a bow) with Chinese traditions, referencing both folk music and Chinese opera, and drawing on his own avant-garde sense of melody. The first non-English play mounted by the NAC’s English theatre department, it’s a wordy piece and you have to pay attention (for 80 minutes straight, no intermission), but the translations are clear and straightforward.Īs for the music, it’s one of the most enjoyable aspects of the production. Virtually all the lines are sung in Mandarin, with English surtitles projected overhead. The setup ensures the musicians are in plain view, framing the two actors, and serves to underscore the intimate connection between the music and dialogue, or rather, singing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Manage Print Subscription / Tax Receipt.National Capital Region's Top Employers.

Chinese opera drag