The Soldier and his Virtuous Wife is a modern adaptation of a 2000-year-old Chinese story which has been performed in the past as a Chinese opera. Kuo Jian Hong produced this musical 30 years ago, but has modernised the current version so it fuses Chinese opera music with that of Western rock music. The playwright and lyricist is Lo Pei-An, the music composed by the late Chen Yang, and the music director and arranger is August Lum, the choreographer Seong Hui Xuan, the set designer Chen Szu-Feng.

 

The story centres around the soldier Qiu Hu who has just gotten married to Mei Ying when the very next day he is conscripted into the army and sent away to battle. Mei Ying is left behind and is very lonely, but she remains faithful to her husband and spends her days weaving and waiting for his safe return. The original story is tragic in that Mei Ying’s virtue is compromised by a rich businessman and she drowns herself in the river. The current Singapore version follows the Yuan Dynasty’s happier version when she is reunited with her husband a decade after being separated. Her husband has one stumbling episode where he sees a beautiful lady and offers her some gold if she spends a night with him. The lady refuses the offer, and it is only when the soldier returns home that they both recognise each other. The wife is angry that her husband has wanted a one-night stand with her while she has totally refused to indulge in such activity. Now she wants a divorce. It is only when the rich businessman tries to seduce Mei Ying again but this time he is stopped by Qiu Hu, that the parents persuade Mei Ying to forgive Qiu Hu; but she only does so when he shows more sincerity in his apology.

 

The script is well-written and sparkling humour is sprinkled throughout. The songs are a blend of Chinese opera with Western musical theatre and pop songs. For example one of the songs starts off with the Abba hit “Money, money, money” before transforming into a more oriental melody and instruments. Another song borrows a snatch of Der Hölle Rache taken from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which adds jocularity to the song. The singing acting and dancing are of the highest standard. Joanna Dong plays the role of Mei Ying and Cavin Soh the role of Qiu Hu, and both are outstanding.

 

The incorporation of Western rhythms to Chinese opera melodies with the addition of some traditional instruments allows the younger audience to appreciate an ancient artform. Singapore sits at the cross-roads between east and west, and the audience appreciates this synthesis of different cultures. This musical is well worth watching! Congratulations to The Theatre Practice, the production company! 

Video Clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqt-fHpXLmg

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3fjkqkesQ6Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lht4U47snD8

 

Kenneth Lyen 2 April 2023