Core Viewpoint - The ballet "Lily" adapted from the novel by Zhu Zhiquan premiered in Shanghai, showcasing a touching story set during the Liberation War, emphasizing the emotional depth of ordinary characters and the collaboration between the creative team [1][3]. Group 1: Adaptation Process - The adaptation of "Lily" into a ballet was initiated by Xin Lili, who approached Wang Anyi, the daughter of the original author, to adapt the short story into a ballet script, which Wang completed in just one month [1][2]. - The challenge in adapting the story was the lack of dramatic conflict, requiring the creative team to find ways to express the emotional essence through dance [2][3]. - The iconic scene of "borrowing a quilt" was particularly challenging to portray on stage, taking eight months of rehearsal to develop a lively and engaging representation [2][3]. Group 2: Character and Theme - The ballet focuses on ordinary characters, highlighting themes of youth and emotional connections, with the average age of the performers being under 24 [3][5]. - The story is positioned as both a red-themed narrative and a youth drama, resonating with the timeless appeal of youthful experiences [3][5]. - Wang Anyi expressed satisfaction with the portrayal of the three main characters, feeling that the ballet's style matched the purity and simplicity of her mother's original story [5][6]. Group 3: Collaboration and Creative Freedom - The collaboration between Wang Anyi and Xin Lili was marked by mutual trust and openness, allowing for creative freedom in the adaptation process [6][7]. - Xin Lili emphasized the importance of allowing the choreographer to explore and innovate within the ballet, leading to the inclusion of romantic elements in the choreography [6][7]. - The creative team aimed to convey the simple yet profound emotions of ordinary people from that era, ensuring that the audience connects with the characters and their experiences [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - The China National Theatre is launching a series of performances focused on anti-fascist and red-themed narratives to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which have received positive audience reception [1][2]. Group 1: Performance Highlights - The play "Red Starting Point" uses unique narrative techniques to vividly portray the great journey of the founding of the Communist Party of China [1]. - "Sanwan, That Night" artistically reenacts the historical event of the "Sanwan Reorganization," explaining concepts such as "the Party commands the gun" and "equality between officers and soldiers" [1]. - "Iron Flow Eastward" is based on the novel "The Last Radio Wave," showcasing the lesser-known battle history of the New Fourth Army's communication soldiers, highlighting their ordinary yet heroic qualities [1]. - "Art in the War of Resistance" reflects the struggles and pursuits of patriotic artists seeking a path for artistic salvation, integrating historical footage into the performance [1]. - "Live Broadcast of the Founding Ceremony" combines a tense narrative with minimalist visual design and real-time filming technology to tell the story behind the founding ceremony [1]. Group 2: Audience Reception and Impact - Recent red-themed performances have been well-received, with all tickets for "Iron Flow Eastward" sold out and "Red Starting Point" nearly sold out [2]. - The classic play "Copenhagen" continues to attract audiences with its unique logical structure and character portrayal, remaining popular for over 20 years [2]. - The revival of "No Burial Place" presents the choices faced by captured French resistance fighters on the eve of World War II victory, featuring a new cast [2]. - The president of the China National Theatre, Tian Qinxin, emphasized the diverse themes and styles of the series, aiming to resonate with contemporary audiences and illuminate the path forward with the spirit of the nation's historical struggles [2].

Core Viewpoint - The China National Theatre is launching a series of performances to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War and the World Anti-Fascist War, featuring eight plays from June to October, highlighting historical and cultural themes related to the war [1][2]. Group 1: Performance Details - Eight plays will be staged, including "Iron Flow East," "The Red Starting Point," "Copenhagen," "The Physicists," "That Night in Sanwan," "No Burial Place," "Live Broadcast of the Founding Ceremony," and "Art in the Anti-Japanese War" [1][2]. - "Art in the Anti-Japanese War" is a documentary play that chronicles the 14-year journey of literary figures during the war, emphasizing the role of art in resisting foreign invasion [1]. - "Copenhagen," directed by Wang Xiaoying, explores the dialogue between Heisenberg, Bohr, and Margrethe, discussing the complexities of science, war, and humanity, and has been well-received for over 22 years [1]. - "No Burial Place," directed by Zha Mingzhe, presents the moral dilemmas faced by captured French resistance fighters during WWII, questioning human nature under extreme circumstances [1]. - "The Physicists," originally staged in 2008, will be reimagined with contemporary emotional elements and innovative stage design [1]. Group 2: Thematic Focus - "Iron Flow East," directed by the young director Cha Wenhao, focuses on the heroic struggles of the New Fourth Army's communication soldiers, linking their sacrifices to a broader narrative of camaraderie [2]. - "The Red Starting Point," based on Ye Yonglie's documentary work, reconstructs the historical events from 1919 to 1921, showcasing the founding journey of the Communist Party of China through a contemporary aesthetic lens [2]. - "That Night in Sanwan" artistically reinterprets the "Sanwan Reorganization," emphasizing fundamental principles that shape the soul of the people's army [2]. - "Live Broadcast of the Founding Ceremony," directed by Tian Qinxin, combines elements of espionage and suspense, set against the backdrop of the 1949 founding ceremony, with innovative stage design that merges historical context with dramatic narrative [2]. - Tian Qinxin, the director of the China National Theatre, stated that these performances not only pay tribute to the great victory achieved through bloodshed but also reflect the cultural responsibility of artists in responding to contemporary issues [2].