Cao Zhen

Caozhen0806@126.com

THE Shenzhen “Pingshan Drama” Carnival opened Wednesday at the Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville, heralding the debut of the highly anticipated dramaville in the centuries-old Changshou Village.

A drama creation and rehearsal center will be established at Maluan Mountain in the near future, and by the end of the year, the Longma Studio Guoli Theater Troupe will be launched. Construction of environmental theaters in Laowei, Guangbei, and Jingzi villages in Pingshan District is also underway. Preparations for the Greater Bay Area International Theater Festival are ongoing, offering the prospect of more thrilling cultural events in the coming times.

Audience members watched the Chinese drama “I Love Peach Blossom,” directed by and starring Zhang Guoli, in the theater of the dramaville after the opening ceremony.

Through Aug. 18, Pingshan is hosting 31 engaging activities. A total of 28 plays such as “I Love Peach Blossom” and “The Shawshank Redemption” will grace the stages of Changshou Dramaville and Pingshan Theater. Meanwhile, various performances, exhibitions, discussions, and workshops will be held throughout the district.

The birth of a dramaville

With a planned area of five hectares, the Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville is situated amid verdant surroundings to the northeast of Maluan Mountain, with the Chi’ao Reservoir to the east.

In 2020, Pingshan District began renovating the 300-year-old Jiang family residence in Changshou Village, transforming it into a venue for high-quality performances while preserving its original Hakka architectural style.

In June 2023, Pingshan District signed an agreement with Longma Studio to produce original works, leading to the studio’s establishment in the village. The Longma • Changshou Commune, built in the refurbished Jiang’s Hakka residence, covers an area of 7,632.14 square meters.

Wang Yanxin, the content operations director of Longma Studio, told Shenzhen Daily: “The natural environment surrounding the dramaville fuels our creative endeavors. The Jiang family settled here about 300 years ago, and many stories unfolded ever since. This environment resonates with our theatrical philosophy and aspirations. When Longma Studio Chairwoman Yao Yi and Zhang Guoli visited here four years ago, they felt a profound connection and an ambiance where theatrical creation could flourish.”

Founded in 2008 by celebrated playwrights Zou Jingzhi, Liu Heng, and Wan Fang, Longma Studio is known for dramas such as “Break Gold” and “Wotou Guild Hall,” depicting the struggles of ordinary people within their respective eras, said Wang.

An emerging theatrical hub

Apart from the 300-seat theater, other businesses within the dramaville are also intertwined with the theatrical theme.

For example, the restaurant, Bai Xiao Tang, draws its name from “Break Gold,” while the inn features antique furnishings and decor collected globally. The outdoor environmental theater allows everyone to enjoy dramas amid the antiquity of the village, accompanied by the scenic backdrop of Maluan Mountain in the distance.

From the traditional Hakka half-moon pond outside the residence to the inner houses, vintage charm blends with modern elements. Architect Zhu Xiaodi has constructed a giant net-weaving installation to cover up the half-moon pond, creating a serene spot for leisurely strolls or moonlit contemplation.

Wang said that they invited craftsmen adept in traditional mud wall construction skills to imbue the refurbished walls with a retro appeal. The outdoor environmental theater featured old walls, creating a space devoid of fixed stages or seats, blurring the lines between actors and audience members, allowing everyone to create and interpret stories.

In the dramaville’s exhibition hall, an exhibition is showcasing 400 exquisite Shaanxi Huaxian shadow puppets collected by Zhang Guoli. Another exhibition reviews the 15-year creative journey of Longma Studio through numerous photos, scripts, props, and costumes.

The library houses a large collection of drama-themed books, including contributions from celebrities such as Jackie Chan, Feng Xiaogang, and Joan Chen. In the future, this place will also host book releases and cultural salons.

The dramaville plans to produce one major and two minor theatrical productions annually. Moreover, they will conduct actor training programs and invite acclaimed artists from home and abroad to create, exchange, and perform at the venue.

Pingshan is committed to establishing itself as a theatrical hub in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It aims to foster the integration and development of drama art with other sectors and offer audience members more high-quality productions.

The district is home to theater construction firm Z&F, producer and performance agency Poly Theater, leading original drama production firm Longma Studio, virtual studio Shenzhen International Movie City, as well as arts education institutions like Shenzhen Technology University, and 11 performance venues including the Pingshan Theater.

With the opening of Shenzhen Pingshan Changshou Dramaville, Pingshan is set to further advance the integration of theatrical art with urban development.