Wu Xu, the young director of China Children's Art Theater - Let children's drama take root in the snowy plateau (our new era)

　　Wu Xu, a young director of the China Children's Art Theater and a national first-class actor, is always busy in Lhasa: promoting children's plays and rehearsing dramas on the plateau with high altitude and thin oxygen.

This is the fifth year that he has "stabbed" into Tibet.

　　"A good children's drama should be liked by children and adults too"

　　"In 2008, I came to Lhasa with the crew of "Little Tadpoles Looking for Mother" by China Children's Art Theater. After the performance, the children were reluctant to leave and shouted 'you have to come again' again and again. At that time, I deeply felt these Children love children's dramas so much and are eager to see children's dramas." Wu Xu said.

　　Ten years later, an opportunity to aid Tibet came to Wu Xu, and he agreed without hesitation.

Soon after, he came to the Tibet Autonomous Region Repertory Theatre.

　　Wu Xu hopes to popularize children's dramas here.

But some people in the drama troupe didn't understand it at first, "We have been creating and arranging adult dramas, and we don't need children's dramas..." Hearing such a voice, Wu Xu thought to himself: "There are very few opportunities for local people to watch children's dramas, so It’s okay not to understand. I have to find a way to learn with an open mind and share my artistic insights with them.”

　　Seizing the opportunity, Wu Xu organized several face-to-face chat sessions to talk with the cast and crew of the troupe about their understanding of children's plays, and also carefully prepared some video materials of children's plays to share with them.

Gradually, everyone came to some consensus.

　　In 2019, Wu Xu went to Tibet for the second time. He organized a children's drama performance and observation activity.

The children were immersed in it and cheered, and many locals also felt the charm of children's dramas.

　　Children's drama creation is not easy.

"China Children's Art Theater has a consensus: a good children's drama should be liked by children and adults. Children like it means it is easy to understand, and adults like it, which means it has depth and depth. Children's drama must have all the elements of good drama, and at the same time It is also necessary to find expressions that conform to the child's psychological characteristics and acceptance characteristics." Wu Xu said.

　　Later, China Children's Art Theatre signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with the Tibet Autonomous Region Repertory Theatre to provide more assistance to the theatre performance, talent training, and repertoire creation.

　　"At present, the drama troupe is creating children's drama Tashi and Dele, and some local writers are also willing to adapt children's literature into children's dramas." Wu Xu said, "I believe that through unremitting efforts, children's dramas will take root in the snowy regions. Highland."

　　"How to create excellent works without going deep into life"

　　In recent years, many friends did not know where Wu Xu went until he took the stage in Beijing with the play "Barkhor Street North Courtyard".

　　Some friends also didn't understand Wu Xu's choice. Instead of staying in theaters in big cities, they went to the plateau alone. Why?

　　"In a prosperous city, it is easy for people to be impetuous, and impetuousness is the enemy of creation. How can I create excellent works if I can't stand loneliness and go deep into life?" Wu Xu said with emotion, "Many people say that I have lost a lot, but I think it's more of a gain."

　　In July 2020, "The North Courtyard of Barkhor Street" directed by Wu Xu premiered in Lhasa. The original plan to perform only one performance was "disrupted" by the audience's fiery pursuit. Let the audience "quench their thirst".

Recalling the scene at that time, the head of the Tibet Autonomous Region Repertory Theatre, Pubu Tsering, was very excited: "At that time, the venue was full, and there was an endless stream of people who came to see the play. Some audience members said that "North Courtyard on Barkhor Street" took them to relive Tibet. The change, I saw myself and saw my heart.”

　　For someone who has recently come to Tibet, it is easier said than done to direct a work with a Tibetan theme.

　　"I always believe that the premise of creation is an in-depth understanding of life, and it must be in the body, in the heart, and in the emotion." Wu Xu followed the drama troupe to the grassroots, walked into the courtyard of the common people, and had in-depth exchanges with them, singing and singing together. Laughter... "Although the air is thin and the road is difficult, it is very fulfilling." Wu Xu said.

　　Inspiration to create came out.

Wu Xu poured his feelings into the characters in the play one by one.

　　After watching the play, the audience in Beijing left a message saying: "When we talked about Tibet in the past, we almost always thought of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, yaks, rough, bold, heroic, and more of a rough line. After watching the play, I found that their Life is so colorful."

　　In 2020, "Barkhor Street North Courtyard", as a realist drama created and arranged by the Tibet Autonomous Region Repertory Theatre, won the Excellent Play Award of the "Five Ones Project" for the spiritual civilization construction of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The 100th anniversary of the outstanding stage art works was staged in Beijing and won praise.

　　"The life of dedication and struggle is worth it"

　　"I haven't seen you for a few days, and your health is okay!" Pubu Tsering used to hold Wu Xu's hand tightly after meeting to feel the young man's spirit.

　　Working in Tibet is also a test of physical fitness.

After coming to Tibet for the third time in 2020, Wu Xu rehearsed intensely during the day, discussed and revised at night, and continued the rehearsal the next day.

The intense work has made his altitude sickness more intense. Fatigue and pain often tortured him to sleep, and he was hospitalized...

　　"However, when the children in the plateau showed a knowing smile after watching the children's drama, when "Barkhor Street North Courtyard" touched many people, and when they became good friends with more and more local people, When my family and friends affirm, encourage and praise my works, I feel that the life of dedication and struggle is worthwhile." Wu Xu said.

　　When Wu Xu went to Tibet in 2018, his daughter was only 3 years old, and now she is 8 years old. She often proudly said to her classmates: "My father works in the place closest to the blue sky, I love him!"

　　After Wu Xu found out, his eyes were wet in the plateau...

　　Our reporter Zheng Haiou