On October 20th, during a premiere at the Youth Palace Performing Arts Center in Taiyuan, Shanxi, “Da Han Mu Zi,” performed in the traditional Shanxi Shangdang Bangzi style, captured the audience’s attention. This production emerged from months of dedicated rehearsals and is part of a broader initiative funded by the National Art Fund’s 2023 large-scale theater project and the Ministry of Culture’s talent development program.
Shangdang Bangzi, one of Shanxi’s “Four Major Bangzi” opera styles, boasts a rich heritage dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.
“Da Han Mu Zi,” developed by the Jinzhong City Committee of Publicity, with support from the city’s Cultural and Tourism Bureau, tells a poignant historical story centered on the relationship between Lu Zhi and her son Liu Ying. The production delves into the emotional struggles and psychological shifts they experienced through profound separation, weaving a narrative that examines historical figures’ inner lives against the backdrop of a burgeoning nation in the early Western Han period. Critics have lauded this piece as a psychological drama exploring historical characters.
According to lead actress Chen Suqin, “Shangdang Bangzi is a rare and ancient drama genre in China that incorporates multiple singing styles, allowing for a deeply expressive form of storytelling. Portraying Lu Zhi, a character marked by both virtue and vice, presents a unique challenge. This complexity ultimately allows me to push my own artistic boundaries.”
Playwright Li Li reflected on her fifth collaboration with the Shangdang Bangzi Theater, revealing that her initial inspiration for “Da Han Mu Zi” emerged while working on her earlier piece, “Cheng Bai Xiao He.” “We aimed to reach audiences through familiar themes, offering a nuanced portrayal of the emotional dynamics between mother and son amidst the historical turmoil,” she shared.
Director Zhang Manjun elaborated on the integration of traditional and modern elements within the production. “Musically, we grounded the play in the essence of Shangdang Bangzi, allowing its resonant sounds to flow throughout. The minimalist set design captures both the weight of history and the fluidity of the characters’ emotions, merging classical aesthetics with a modern minimalism,” she explained.
Actors aim to express the profound philosophical meanings embedded within the script while respecting the stylized nature of traditional performances.
In a review from a June symposium, former chair of the Chinese Literary Critics Association, Zhong Chengxiang, noted that “Da Han Mu Zi” stands out not only in Shanxi but also across the nation for its innovative approach, rich artistic merit, and audience appeal, representing the pinnacle of contemporary Chinese opera.
