A local taste

The play made its debut in Taiwan in 1986, winning Lai great acclaim and many awards. The popular work combines a comedy, which is inspired by a utopia depicted by Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) poet Tao Yuanming, and a tragic love story set during the turbulent period of the 20th century.

All the actors are from the Huichang Tea Harvest Opera Theater, and none of them had any experience performing in a modern play. The comedic element of the play was integrated with the local tea-picking opera, which combines dancing and singing, and reflections on the daily lives of tea farmers.

Tea-picking opera has thrived in the mountainous regions of Jiangxi for over 400 years. It is characterized by rhythmic music, vibrant costumes, and dances featuring unique movements similar to ballet dancers standing on the tips of their toes. In addition, the actors speak in the Huichang dialect, making it relatable to local audiences.

Hu Jing, director of the Huichang Tea Harvest Opera Theater, said when they performed the play for the first time in January, the audience was very quiet. He found this strange, as it was partly a comedy, and wondered why the audience wasn't laughing. Hu later learned that the locals were unfamiliar with theater etiquette and didn't know whether they should laugh. "For the locals, modern drama is new. They have learned how to appreciate this fresh art form in the past few months," he said.

It also took several months for the performers to become familiar with the new art form. From last October, members of his team spent lengthy periods during the day and at night rehearsing.

Chi, the lead actor, rehearsed 12 hours a day for three consecutive months and lost 14 kilograms. His role requires him to dance while singing, and run around constantly, which consumes a lot of energy. Sometimes, he was so exhausted that he collapsed on the stage floor and couldn't get up during the rehearsal. However, the physical exhaustion couldn't dampen his love for theater.

"It opened a new world for young performers in the county. In the theater village, we know various artforms. We are able to talk with actors from across the world. We could never imagine it before," said Chi, who started learning tea-picking opera at 13, and has never seen the world outside his home.