Director Liu Tianchi’s Chinese version of the Chinese version of the first musical “Born A Couple” is about to start a national tour
International Online News: Adapted from the children’s literature “Two Little Lottes”, the musical “Born to Be a Couple” is a repertoire reserved by the Four Seasons Theater in Japan, and has performed nearly 1,000 performances so far. In 2021, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the premiere of this musical, Beijing Sihai One Culture Communication Co., Ltd. and Four Seasons Huange (Beijing) Culture and Art Co., Ltd. decided to join hands to make this musical which has touched countless families in the past half century. Classic works are brought to the stage of Chinese musicals. On March 2, the national tour of the Chinese version of the play and the ticket opening ceremony for Beijing Railway Station were held at the Beijing Tianqiao Art Center.
“Born to Be a Couple” is adapted from the novel “Two Little Lotters” by the father of German children’s literature, Ehiri Kestner. It tells the story of twin girls who grew up in different environments due to the divorce of their parents. The story of the plot to reunite the family and meet another self in life. For half a century, “The Two Little Lot” has been adapted and created by artists from different countries for many times. Since then, 6 movies, 1 TV work, 1 cartoon and 1 stage play have been remade based on it. Adapted, and award-winning. In 1971, Japan’s most influential performance group “Four Seasons Theater” adapted “Two Little Lottes” into a musical and put it on the stage. Nearly a thousand games.
The Chinese version of the musical “Born A Couple” has assembled excellent creative teams at home and abroad. Wang Xiangqian is the chief planner and producer, Liu Tianchi is the director, and Feng Lei, Ren Dongsheng, and Wang Ting are the stage designers, lighting, and costume designers, and are well-known in Japan. Choreographer Hachiko Masumi serves as the choreographer. Interestingly, many of the main creators, including Wang Xiangqian and Liu Tianchi, are cast members who returned from Japan’s Four Seasons Theater.
Wang Xiangqian, the chief planner and producer of the Chinese version of “Born in Love” said, “Introducing and producing the musical “Born in a Pair” is a dream that I have treasured for more than ten years. We will not simply copy the original version, except for the music and script. A new interpretation, and strive to give it a new vitality to take root.”
Liu Tianchi, who has acted as the dumb girl Fengxia in “Alive”, Xiu’e’s sister-in-law in “Parents’ Love”, and acted as the performance director for many films such as “The Thirteen Hairpins of Jinling”, “Return” and “Looking for the Dragon”. She served as the director of the Chinese version of “Born A Couple” for the second time, and this is her first time as a musical director.
Talking about why he chose “Children’s Literature” as the director’s debut for a musical this time, Liu Tianchi said frankly, “Any adult needs fairy tales, needs curiosity, and needs to learn to cross a wall in our hearts. The wall is man-made, and it is a barrier for us to reveal our hearts. So today, I am more willing to discuss this ‘heart wall’ in people’s hearts, and hope that through this work, more people can see their heart wall, Learn to reconcile with yourself.” Liu Tianchi revealed that she will use a lighthearted and humorous style to create a family musical that is not only suitable for children, but also for the whole family, with the ability to heal emotions.
Music producer, singer and actor Man Jiang plays the role of “father” in the play, which is also his first musical work. Talking about this role, Man Jiang said, “This role is also an artist like me, and has a lot of creativity in my heart. Each of us hopes that our life will be complete. This father’s previous marriage was a failure. I I also hope that his emotions have a home.” Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Troupe Jia Siyue played the “father”‘s new girlfriend Irena in the play. At the scene, she made a stunning appearance in a red dress and performed a seductive figure. An explosive dance.
On the same day, Zhang Jing and Zhang Ying, who played the twins “Lot” and “Louise” in the Chinese version of “Born A Couple”, met the audience for the first time as the heroines of the show. In reality, the two sisters are also twins, who stood out from the audition with their outstanding musical singing and performance talents. At the event, the two sisters sang the classic songs “Show Your Courage” and “Wish” from “Born A Couple”.
Yu Tingting, general manager of Beijing Sihaiyi Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. and director of the Chinese version of “Born A Couple”, said when talking about the original intention of the play, “We meet all kinds of people in our lives, but you are in the dark. The person you meet may be the other self in the world, and everything is the best arrangement. Show up the courage to break through yourself, and you will usher in a better life. This is what “Born A Couple” wants to express core idea.”
It is reported that the Chinese version of the musical “Born A Couple” will be staged at Tianqiao Art Center from June 3rd to 5th. After the Beijing station performance, the play will continue to travel to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dezhou, Jinan, Suzhou, Quanzhou, etc. touring.