The Happy Model Worker:A Moderｎ Regioｎal Opera Play

Zhaｎg Xiufeｎg Goｎg Weｎrui

The evening of May 17, 2009 witnessed the performance of “The Happy Model Worker” at the Victory Theater in Hangzhou. It was a regional Chaicha Opera play staged by the Gannan Chacai Opera House from southern Jiangxi Province. A winner of award from Jiangxi Provinces Cultural Prosperity Project, “The Happy Model Worker” is part of a national show of excellent regional operas plays now going on in Hangzhou. The national show is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture.

For a long while, modern plays are quite rare in regional operas across the country. Regional operas have experienced a renaissance since the reform and opening up 30 years ago, but modern plays are still rare. “The Happy Model Worker” is a successful endeavor to depict the new life in rural areas.

Experts say that it is probably the most successful and most representative contemporary play that depicts the progress made since the modernization drive started 30 years ago.

Thematically, the light comedy tells a serious story about how the rural residents in southern Jiangxi have adapted to new changes in modernization. Many a theatrical method is adopted to make the serious play entertaining. The play is a perfect combination of art and modern concept.

Musically, the play is based on Xingguo folksongs and other tunes popular in southern Jiangxi. Chaicha Opera is a regional genre that goes back to more than 500 years. It is the most representative of the regional cultural heritages in southern Jiangxi Province. The most representative tune of Xingguo folksongs is well known in the country through some revolutionary songs popular decades ago. The arias of the play are all based on local folksongs, giving the play unmistakable regional musical features.

The play is more than well known melodies. It also features animated dances which make some scenes delightful. The play owes its huge popularity and success to the innovative inclusion of a great variety of elements from outside the traditional genre. It is a successful artistic achievement in the history of the development of Chaicha Opera in southern Jiangxi Province.

It was written by Wang Enshi, a playwright in southern Jiangxi. It was directed by Zhang Manjun, now deputy director of Tianjin Song and Dance House in northern China. Zhang used to be a performer of the Chaicha Opera and won a Plum Blossom Award for her brilliant performance in a Chaicha Opera play. Since winning two top national awards in 1993 and studying advanced courses twice at the Central Academy of Drama, she has become a director of national renown. □