China News Service, Beijing, January 28th: Title: Macau’s original drama "Macau Show" explores different Macau culture
China News Service reporter Ying Ni
The original drama "Macau Show" from Macau, China, concluded its first round of three performances in Beijing on the 27th. Both the actors and the main creator are native Macau people, and even the content of the script is refined from the actors' own experiences. Behind the sincere and frank plot lies the entire creative team’s deep love for their hometown of Macau.
One of the leading actors, Michael Kaede, asks in the play, "How do career and identity coexist?"
A still from "Macau Show", the picture shows one of the leading actors, Michael Keadi. Photo by Cai Yuan
In Macau, it is very difficult to be a full-time actor, because there is no specialized art academy group system in Macau, so if you choose to be a full-time actor, you often rehearse and perform for two or three days a month, and then you may not work for more than half a year. When McCaidy focused on being a full-time actor, even though his father helped him renovate a coffee shop, McCaidy had no intention of taking care of it in order to pursue his artistic ideals. He was so embarrassed that he even spent 100 yuan (Macau Pataca) to treat his family to a food stall. It's all very difficult.
Spurred by this, when McCaidy decided to start investing in the coffee shop and work little by little, and when McCaidy could finally invite his family to have a big meal together for the first time, "I suddenly realized that I His identity is a performer and his profession is a barista."
Reconciliation with himself also made Mai Kaidi re-examine his father's life: when he was young, his father was a singer and the "Prince Charming" in the hearts of many people; in order to shoulder the responsibility of the family, his father chose to work as a decorator to support the family. Family of four. "My goal is to make enough money to hold a solo concert for my father." McGaidy said.
Huang Xiangya, who studied and worked in Japan for a period of time, was once asked by a Japanese: What is the culture of Macau? After being silent, she thought about the uneven Portuguese stone road, which requires girls to be careful when walking in high heels; she thought about the kind nuns she would always meet on the way home from school when she was a child; she thought about working overtime. After returning home late, the lady who runs the food stall downstairs knew exactly what she was going to eat without having to order... Scenes of heart-warming scenes, in her narration, formed the Macau culture in Huang Xiangya's mind.
Stills from "Macau Show". Photo by Cai Yuan
It is worth mentioning that "Macau Show" chose to perform it in Cantonese. “We want to present the most authentic and original Macao to the audience. Not only the language, but also the blue and white style Portuguese porcelain plate painting pattern is used in the main visual aspect of the stage design. It is a very representative element of Macao and is used in many aspects. You can see it in the streets and buildings." Chief creator Chen Feili told reporters, "Macao has both the strong roots of Chinese culture and the branches and leaves of Western culture. Under the changes and baptism of history, more or less Macao people grew up here. It is rare that there is some confusion about the identity of cultural values. This time, four perspectives were chosen to reproduce their stories in the hope that the audience can see Macao people's understanding of local culture and 'home' during the protagonist's journey of 'root seeking'. Cultural reflections.”
As a native of Macau, Chen Feili majored in directing at the Central Academy of Drama in 2008 with funding from the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government and the Macau Foundation. He has been active on the Chinese theater stage as an actor, director and creator for many years. The idea of making a play specifically about Macau has been in his mind for a long time. 2024 is the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China. The rehearsal of this play and its premiere in Beijing not only allow mainland compatriots to understand Macao more immersively, but also allow them to see the diverse and different side of Macao through the historical and cultural windows. It also means bringing a good drama "home".
The play is called "Macau Show". What does "show" mean? When you're not performing, work as a barista or self-media, and stop yourself from working too hard for your hobbies and ideals - all of this comes from having a good grasp of yourself and your living environment. Start by doing specific things, and then gain confidence and trust in nearby and distant places. "When they show their personal stories on stage, this story may seem ordinary, but it can stir up thousands of waves in their hearts. Such a show is also very powerful." Chen Feili said. (over)