KNOWN as one of China’s Four Great Folktales, “The Butterfly Lovers” is coming to the Thai stage next month in contemporary musical form.
The tragic love story of a scholar and a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to be able to pursue her studies, the “Maan Praphenee Prakasit Aya Sawan”, as the show is known in Thai, is the latest collaboration between Suruj Tipakornseni and Kriengsak “Victor” Silakong, whose “Cixi Taihou The Musical” won critical acclaim in 2014 and was restaged, albeit with less fanfare, last year.
Set in the Easter Jin Dynasty (265-420 AD) “The Butterfly Lovers” centres on Zhu Yingtai, the only daughter of a wealthy family who is determined to pursue her dreams of a further education even though traditionally women are not allowed to do so. She disguises herself as a man and heads to Hangzhou to study where she meets scholar Liang Shanbo. Zhu falls deeply in love with Liang but when her three years of study come to an end, she is ordered to return home. Zhu tries to find a way to tell Liang that she is a woman and to express her love for him but is unable to do so. On her arrival home, she is ordered to marry the man her parents have chosen for her. By that time Liang has discovered the truth and is heartbroken when he hears the news of her marriage. His health gradually deteriorates until he becomes critically and dies. Zhu leaves the wedding ceremony to pay respect at Liang’s tomb and when the grave opens, throws herself in.
For the production, The Musicals Society of Bangkok, which is run by Suruj, is once again joining up with Nation Broadcasting Corporation. The two collaborated on “Reya The Musical” four years ago and Suruj is donning the hats of producer, songwriter and scriptwriter while Victor takes on directing responsibilities.
Both are also starring in the musical: Victor as Zhu’s Father and Suruj as Zian Han. the angel who is assigned to take care of Zhu.
Victor says he has fond memories of the story from watching the Shaw Brother’s 1963 movie “The Love Eterne” (“Maan Praphenee”), which starred Ivy Ling Po as Liang Zhanbo and the late actress Betty Loh Ti as Zhu Yingtai. The film is in the Huangmei opera genre and became an international success.
“I was mesmerised by the ending. It’s a touching story filled with tears and laughter,” he says.
Regularly staged in China – and coming to town early next month in a Grand Chinese Opera production as part of the Bangkok’s 18th International Festival of Music and Dance, “The Butterfly Lovers” is often retold in films, TV series and operas. It also remembered through the government-built Liang Shanbo temple, a theme park-like attraction where visitors can explore sets built to resemble some of the best-known scenes.
Victor is bringing his own interpretation to the work, showing how the two were predestined to fall in love. His version traces the couple back to a time when they were angels and Phra Maha Thevi Si Wangmo or the Royal Mother of the Western Paradise – the ruler of all female immortals – sent them down from heaven to be born as humans so that they would learn about suffering in love. The added title “Prakasit Aya Sawan”, which means “Order from Heaven”, alludes to this change.
Her Royal Highness Princess Somsawali, with whom Suruj and Victor worked on “Cixi”, returns to the stage as the Royal Mother.
The Princess told the recent press conference that while her role as Cixi Taihou’s mother was more dramatic, this latest characterisation fills her with joy.
She also praises Suruj for his dexterity in casting his actors in roles that best suit their characters.
“He knows that I love cooking, so he elaborates the cooking scene for my character when the royal mother comes down to the human world to visit the couple,” she says.
But she also admits that Suruj’s songs are as hard as perform as ever.
“As I am busy, I have to rehearse whenever and wherever I can, so I practise at home and while driving,” she says.
Musical director Den Euprasert adds that Suruj’s songs are not just beautiful in terms of the melody and lyrics, but in the way they help tell the story.
“Writing Thai lyrics for the musical melody is hard because of the limitations in the language, but I think they’re great,” he says.
Actress Kanyapas Srinarong, also known as Pan of classical outfit of the Vie Trio, plays Zhu. She worked with Suruj and Victor in the restaging of “Cixi” but finds her new character more complicated.
Singer and actor Nat Thewphaingarm, aka Natthew AF, portrays Liang Zhanpo.
LOVERS IN PARADISE
“Maan Praphenee Prakasit Aya Sawan” (“The Butterfly Lovers”) runs from September 29 to October 16, nightly except Monday, at M Theatre.
Showtime is 7.30pm with matinees at 2pm on weekends.
Tickets cost Bt1,500 to Bt5,000 at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
This source first appeared on The Nation Life.