DivadloAlfa.cz

No banquet lasts for ever, but the love of two people knows no end. Freely inspired by a Chinese folk tale.

direction and set design: J. A. Pitínský (guest)., set design: J. Bačová (guest), movement assistance: I. Dostálek (guest).

In addition to Czech stories, over the last decade our theatre has shown German, Eskimo, Scottish, Russian and English stories. Our latest venture involves a Chinese tale. “No banquet lasts forever, but the love of two people knows no end,” according to a Chinese proverb. In real, contemporary life this saying is not always – indeed, hardly ever – true. However, this story of a young man, Shi Tun, and his beautiful wife, Yu Hua (= Jade Flower), is a perfect illustration and confirmation of the proverb. Only faithful love, which does not hesitate in front of the most difficult obstacle and is capable of making any sort of sacrifice, is a force strong enough to carry Shi Tun to his goal – to free his beloved wife from the power of the cunning Devil. The production will provide a glimpse into a literature that is for us exotic and a little mysterious, as well as into a fascinating Asian theatrical culture, the principles of which have over the past hundred years also exercised a notable influence over the development of modern European theatre. Our encounter with them is mediated by a distinguished guest, one of the most notable Czech directors of the middle generation, Jan Antonín Pitínský (whose play Bethlehem we staged in 2005). Pitínský has recently been successful with Chinese material at the Divadlo v Dlouhé theatre in Prague, in the shape of Kung Shang-Jen’s “The Peach-Blossom Fan”. This insight into the compelling world of Chinese theatre inspired him, after a while, to research, probe and build on it further… To our and your benefit and delight.

Czech premiere: 19th April 2010

The production is designed for children aged 10-14 and adults.