Those were the days: remembering the 90s
The Chinese musical “The Twilight of Spring” is ready to take audiences back in time to the 1990s, and re-experience the youthful vigor of the generation, the city and the nation.
The musical looking at the growth and choices of four young people in the 1990s will be presented at the Shanghai Grand Theater on December 7-9.
The four childhood friends had different choices in that particular period of time, which led to their different life and fortune afterward.
The musical also shows the huge change in Shanghai since the 1990s, after the implementation of China’s reform and opening up policy, according to playwright Yu Rongjun.
The changing Shanghai landmarks like the Bund, the Waibaidu Bridge, People’s Square and the Huating Road Market are to be spotted in the musical, helping audiences recall what has been buried in their memories.
The musical to be staged this time is a second version of “The Twilight of Spring,” an adaptation based on feedbacks from its premiere last December.
The first version born of the creative team of playwright Yu, director Zhou Xiaoqian and composer Zhao Guang will be joined this time by choreographer Wang Yabin, who was commissioned by the English National Ballet for the work “M-Dao” in 2016.
“This is the first time for me to choreograph for a musical. I personally adored the story much, as it touches on the philosophical issue of how to be self-recognized, work with the environment and cope with changing times,” said Wang.
Contemporary dance was mainly used for the musical to help tell the story.
A clearer story line is used in this new version, and more music with typical Shanghainese elements is also expected to help audiences travel back in time.
“The musical is a love letter that I wrote for the 1990s’ China, which witnessed the youth of our whole generation and the development of Shanghai,” said Yu.
Info
Date: December 7-9, 1:30pm, 7:15pm
Tickets: 80-880 yuan
Tel: 6386-8686
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater
Address: 300 People’s Ave
