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Raising the standard

By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-07-01 09:21

After successfully directing the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the opener for the 2010 Asian Games, Chen Weiya might be forgiven for feeling the pressure was off when it comes to putting on a great show.

The show Our Flag, which features more than 2,000 performers, portrays the hardships faced by the country and the changes brought by the Communist Party of China over the past nine decades. [Jiang Dong / China Daily]

But Chen thrives on pressure and is just as keen as ever to push the envelope, especially since he has been commissioned to helm another epic, Our Flag, staged at the Great Hall of the People on June 29 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

"I feel nervous because it's not simply a variety show," Chen admits. "This show is a sincere gift from all of us.

"If the Olympic Games (Opening Ceremony) was a splendid splashed-ink painting, then Our Flag is a meticulous painting, requiring detailed and careful portraits." Chen continues.

"It's a great responsibility to tell the story of the 90-year-old Party in a 100-minute show. Each sketch contains our best wishes and thanks to the Party."

The five-act show isn't in chronological order. It opens with a gold stream of water shown on the huge LED screen at the back of the stage, which forms a hammer and sickle - the symbol on CPC flag.

Clockwise from above The 100-minute show is filled with emotional scenes, such as the one about the Sichuan earthquake, in which soldiers work to save a boy buried in debris. Renowned actress Tian Hua (center), 82, performs yangge dancing in the show. Dances and songs from China's 56 ethnic groups form part of the introduction of the show. Song Zuying concludes an act with a revolutionary song. [Photos by Jiang Dong and Zou Hong / China Daily]

Then there are dances and songs from 56 Chinese ethnic groups, after which the CPC's five-chapter history unfolds. It portrays the May 4 Movement of 1919, the Party's founding on July 1, 1921, the founding of New China in 1949 and, later, economic reform. The show conveys the hardships faced by the country and its progress.

With more than 2,000 performers from around the country, every chapter conveys emotional scenes.

"We focus on celebrating the day and reflecting on the changes the Party brought to our country," Chen says.

All the actors - from renowned artists to ordinary army soldiers - perform free of charge and have been happy to do so, Chen says.

Renowned performers include 82-year-old actress Tian Hua and 80-year-old actress Tao Yuling performing the yangge dance, with bright red ribbons. Famous singers, including Peng Liyuan, Song Zuying, Tan Jing and Yin Xiumei, conclude every act with a revolutionary song.

"All the performances have dramatic plots because stories help form characters that connect with audiences," Chen says.

The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), for example, is told through a dance solo by Huang Doudou.

The 34-year-old plays the role of a soldier who takes the fight to the enemy. When a platform lifts 10 meters above the stage and extends into the audience, Huang's power and expression brought tears to the real soldiers sitting offstage.

The director says Huang was full of emotion during rehearsal. Every time he stood on the platform, he was like a wild horse full of rage and pride.

Chen mentions a scene about the Sichuan earthquake, in which soldiers work to save a boy buried in debris. When the boy is finally safe, 500 soldiers form a 15-meter-high pyramid, passing the CPC flag from the bottom to the top, where the boy is standing.

"The flag is a symbol of the will of the people," Chen says.

The boy is one of 100 primary school students, aged from 7 to 12 years old, who perform. Chen says they all know the Party's story from classes and grandparents who made contributions to the founding of the Party.

"Some complain the younger generation is pampered and selfish. But the children's devotion to the show proves they are the hope of the country," Chen says.

At the end of the show, 90 new CPC members, including those from the army, students and transportation workers, read their admission oaths onstage.

"Undoubtedly, China is developing fast and receiving the attention of the world. This success was built by the old generation of the CPC. We should thank and commemorate them," Chen says.

"My family all worked hard on this show. My wife co-directed and my daughter sings in one act. The Party influenced every member of the family. It's close to us."