Hit play: Rhinoceros in love
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E-mail CNTV, August 16, 2012
The play, "Rhinoceros In Love" might just be China's most popular ever play. It's been steaming ahead for 13 years now, and recently Beijing's Poly Theater played home to its thousandth staging - a record for China.
"Rhinoceros In Love" first went on show in 1999. Over the past 13 years, 5 different versions of the play have been staged all over the country, and in all different forms. Actress Hao Lei and Actor Zhang Nianhua for this anniversary show come from the 2003 and 2008 versions of the play respectively. And let's not forget the director, Meng Jinghui, who just had to show up on stage in person.
Wang Hao, Publicity Director, Meng Jinghui studio said, "I think all the audience members coming to today's show are more than just passive observers. They are part of this. As the director said, it's like a big party."
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Still of stage drama "Rhinoceros in Love" |
Hao Lei, Actress, "Rhinoceros in love", "I'm very moved. It's been different from acting in other plays. It has its own memories. And I feel the audiences are different. They know the play really well and it's become interactive."
She's right. The play has some real fanatics.
Audience member said, "If my memory serves me, this is the fifth time I've come to watch the play."
It's not limited to the mainland either. "Rhinoceros In Love" has traveled to 36 cities in and beyond China - drawing some 368 thousand people - and breaking numerous attendance records. Playwright Liao Yimei says she never imagined finding such success.
Liao Yimei, Playwright, "Rhinoceros in love" said, "At that time none of us anticipated today's success. We just liked it. But miracles can happen if you pour your heart into your work."
Meng Jinghui, Director, "Rhinoceros in love" said, "I don't regard the play as fixed. It changes in sense, in strength and in speed every time. "Rhinoceros In Love" is an ever-changing play and we'll keep it that way in the future."
Seems so. The play is soon set to begin yet another tour of China.
