Jinwei comedy “Wet Paint” celebrates the Year of the Dragon
Tonight’s News (Reporter Gao Shuang) As the Tianjin People’s Art Theater’s Spring Festival repertoire, the three-act comedy “Wet Paint” will be performed in Tianjin from February 11th (the second day of the first lunar month) to the 13th (the fourth day of the first lunar month). The play will be performed at the Grand Theater.
For Tianjin People’s Art Theatre, “Jinwei Drama” is a golden signature of the theater. Since the 1980s, Tianjin People’s Art Theater has focused on building the brand of Jinwei Drama. So far, it has produced many classic dramas such as “The Fourth Master Cricket”, “Xiang Shi Wu Feizi” and “Wang Tian Roar”. Although “Wet Paint” is rooted in France, it is a new attempt to localize foreign stories.
“Wet Paint” was created by the French playwright Rene Fouchois based on Van Gogh as an artistic prototype. It was compiled into an English version by Eileen William of the United Kingdom. In 1934, it was translated from the English version into a Chinese version by Mr. Ouyang Yuqian. Rehearsed and performed at Tianjin People’s Art Festival in 2014. Once the play was performed, it quickly became popular because it was in line with the aesthetics of contemporary audiences and had unique taste characteristics. Since then, it has been frequently performed and well received by audiences wherever it goes.
The Tianjin version of “Wet Paint is Dry” is rich in regional culture. The play cleverly moved the story from a British town in the early 20th century to a small Western-style building in the Tianjin Concession in the 1940s. From the decoration style to the furnishings, it restored the style of a middle-class family in the 1940s. At the same time, the play uses a large number of Tianjin dialects and folk slang. Almost all dialects have the characteristics of cadence, rich emotion, and strong expressiveness. In addition, the play also introduces local regional elements such as Tianjin Haihe, Wanghai Tower, Tianjin Wei Wharf, French Cathedral, Lishunde Hotel, Wanguo Bridge, as well as Goubuli steamed buns, Er Eryan fried cakes, 18th Street twists, and sticky pastries. Boil small fish and other gourmet elements. As for the soundtrack, the play uses Jinwei drum music to quickly bring the audience into the situation of the play, maximizing the aesthetic habits of contemporary audiences and the performance style of Tianjin People’s Art.
The plot of the play begins with an unexpected visit. Strangers come to the Ge family one after another. They are all extremely interested in the legacy of the poor painter Li Bin, who once lived in Dr. Ge’s house and has been dead for ten years. In just one day, these unappreciated but now priceless works caused earth-shaking changes in the originally peaceful Ge family. It is worth mentioning that the caged bird on the stage implies vitality and aura under the overall darker tone. The director cleverly uses a caged bird as a metaphor for the talented but impoverished Li Bin.
Tianjin People’s Art Theater’s interpretation of the Tianjin comedy “Wet Paint” not only shows the irony and warning of the original work but also adds a bit of humor and humor unique to Tianjin people. While laughing, the audience understood the author’s irony and reflection on society and human nature under his cold writing style. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch this classic performance at the Grand Theater in Tianjin from February 11th to the 13th.