Hedda Gabler (CN)

The dancing, singing, and fantastic costumes evoke ancient dramatic traditions, but this fascinating form of Chinese opera is actually the same age as the play itself. But the plot in this version has been moved to ancient China, to the time before Confucius. Here, the pistol is replaced by the sword. According to tradition, all parts are played by women, whether the character is named Hedda or Judge Brack.

Ibsen’s plays have been performed in China since the 1930s, but never like this. William H. Sun, professor at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, has adapted Hedda Gabler to the Shaoxin format. Sun has stated that the Hedda character has been considered as too unlikeable to strike a chord with Chinese opera audiences. The challenge has therefore been to put on a show that helps the audience understand why she feels pressured to take her own life.

This graceful, poetic take on Hedda Gabler is guaranteed to be one of the high points of the 2006 Ibsen Festival.

Hedda Gabler opened in Hangzou in May 2006.

By Henrik Ibsen,  Shaoxin opera adaptation by William H. Sun, Faye C. Fei and Lu Lingzhi. Music: Mengqiao Hu. Musical arrangement: Jiankuan Liu. Musicians: Ming Qi Ruan, Jun Liang Jiang, Xia Mei Yu, Wei Hong Huang, Hong Mei Wang. Directors: Jun Hou og Tao Zhi

Cast: Hedda – Yu Jun Zhou, Tesman – Xue Ping Chen, Judge Brack – Hui Lan Shi.