The White Haired Girl completes national tour after successful run

A scene from the remake of The White Haired Girl. [Photo/People.cn]

The remake, which started with the first show in Yan'an, Shaanxi province, on Nov 6, has travelled more than 10,000 km nationwide with 19 shows in eight cities. The total audience attendance has surpassed 25,000.

This year marks the 70th anniversary since the birth of The White Haired Girl, the first play China composed after Chairman Mao Zedong's speech at the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art in 1942.

As a milestone in the development of domestic theater, the play is a fusion between Western performing arts and Chinese history, with folk art from North China and performing techniques in Western opera delicately woven together.

"Don't ask me whether I am satisfied, just look at how energetic the audiences are, who didn't want to leave even after the show's over. The response of the audiences is the best evaluation there could ever be," said artist Guo Lanying, artistic director of this year's reproduction. Guo herself rose to stardom after performing as Xi'er in the 1940s.

"The White Haired Girl is a work that reflects the people. The core message is the power of the people," added Guo.

To Zhong Chenxiang, chairman of China Art Critics Association, The White Haired Girl is a harmonious unification of art and ideas.

"The play emphasizes on the morals the people, originates from the lives of the people, and strikes a chord directly with the hearts of the people. It has borrowed elements from artistic performances of the West, and pave it own road of Chinese folk opera," said Zhong.

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