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Chinese Drama Show "The Story of Old Beijing"
Ms Yang Zhou
Head of Mandarin
The Story of Old Beijing
Recently, the Chinese Drama Club successfully staged this year's play, 'The Story of Old Beijing,' in the school's Selden Theatre. The performance attracted pupils from both the Junior and Senior Schools, along with parents and teachers. It not only showcased the pupils' exceptional talents in theatrical writing but also beautifully conveyed the unique charm of the classic literary work.
Written by Lin Haiyin, 'The Story of Old Beijing' is a classic novel that narrates Yingzi's childhood in the southern part of Beijing from her angle. The novel captures various aspects of life, from the joys of childhood to the sorrows of parting. Bringing such a timeless work to the campus stage was a significant endeavour. It allowed pupils to immerse themselves in character development while resonating emotionally with the audience.
Year 9 Jesicca, President of the Chinese Drama Club, member of the choreography team, and actress portraying Song Ma, shared her experience: "This is my first year in the Chinese Drama Club and my debut in theatre performance. From selecting the script and casting to reading the script and rehearsing, every detail required repeated practice and collective effort. Together, we overcame challenges to deliver genuine emotions and outstanding performances to our audience." Jesicca's heartfelt words encapsulate the sentiments shared by all participating pupils.
Year 13 William, Vice President of the Chinese Drama Club who played dual roles, expressed his pleasure: "I am very happy to be a part of this year's Chinese Drama production. When the curtain rose, Yingzi's childhood story in Beijing rekindled memories of my childhood. The vivid story my teacher once read to me came alive again, and I am honoured to bring this story to others as an actor."
Year 9 Hana, a member of the writing and directing team and the actress playing Yingzi, shared: "I feel very honoured and excited to participate in this year's Chinese Drama! As part of the choreography and acting team, I feel a strong sense of responsibility and enthusiasm because it provides a unique opportunity to share my feelings and experiences. This invaluable experience will always inspire me to progress on my future artistic journey."
The performance's success stemmed from the collective effort of every pupil involved, both on and off the stage. From writing the script to performing the roles, and from managing lights and sound to setting up the stage, every club member's dedication culminated in this memorable theatrical event.
Year 12 Ethan, the technical team's leader, reflected on his role: "It was fun to manage the lights and spotlights in the control room, and it felt good to work closely with my classmates." His words highlight the essential contributions of the behind-the-scenes staff, whose work is crucial to the show's success despite not being visible on stage.
Year 9 Sarah, another member of the writing and directing team and actress for Yingzi’s classmate, also gained valuable insights: "This Chinese drama performance was my first involvement in play creation and my first stage appearance. I learnt the basic process of creating a drama and fully realised the importance of teamwork. The success of this performance has deepened our love for theatre and motivates us to continue exploring and gaining experience in our future endeavours."
This grand performance highlighted the talent and collaborative spirit of the Chinese Drama Club members, reflecting their love for theatre and their relentless pursuit of excellence. The enthusiastic applause from the audience at the curtain call was the highest recognition and encouragement for these young theatre enthusiasts. The success belongs to everyone involved, whether actors, technical team, publicity team, costume team, or props team.
We hope more pupils will join in drama creation in the future, gaining experience and nurturing their love for the art through compelling performances. We eagerly anticipate exploring the endless possibilities of theatre in future productions.
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