A classic retold

THE PLAY, Thunderstorm, about a family in turmoil, was written in the 1930s by playwright Tsao Yu.
Yu has been labelled China’s answer to Henrik Ibsen, a 19th century Norwegian playwright often referred to as ‘the father of realism’ and one of the founders of modernism in theatre.
Thunderstorm was one of the most popular dramatic works of the period prior to the Japanese invasion of China in 1937, and has been staged countless times since then.
The play was also made into several films, including one which starred the late Bruce Lee in 1957.
Famed director Zhang Yimou also drew inspiration from this classic story for his 2006 hit movie, Curse of the Golden Flower.
Now, The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat at klpac (Kuala Lumper Performing Arts Centre) will be presenting Thunderstorm from this Thursday till Sunday, under the direction of Datuk Faridah Merican.
Faridah has adapted the story, setting it in Malaysia, and presenting it in English.
The story takes place in Ipoh in the 1930s. Chou Puyuan is a wealthy and arrogant businessman, who has a young second wife named Fanyi, a tortured soul trapped in a loveless marriage.
She and Chou Ping (Puyuan’s elder son from his first wife) once had an affair, and she is still in love with him even after he broke off their relationship.
When Fanyi discovers Ping is in love with the servant girl, Lu Sufeng, she tries her best to break the lovers apart.
She also reveals a dark family secret, that brings unspeakable misery to the young lovers.
Renowned radio personality and actor Patrick Teoh will be playing patriarch Puyuan, while model-actress Carmen Soo portrays the fragile but manipulative Fanyi.
Others in the cast include Brian Chan, Mark Beau de Silva, Alvin Looi, Tan Li Yang, and Priscilla Wong.
Asked why she is retelling a classic, Faridah explains: “These days, a lot of theatre productions are about fun and laughter. You do not discuss what you see.”
She believes Thunderstorm will be able to provoke intense discussions among the audience. “Classics make a great conversation piece.”
The play also holds a special place in Faridah’s heart, having played the role of Fanyi when Thunderstorm was staged in Bahasa Malaysia in 1983 under the direction of Mustaffa Noor.
“I remembered the play fondly,” she says.
The same Bahasa Malaysia version was restaged 18 years later under Bob Hazli Hassan, this time with Faridah playing another pivotal character Lu Ma, who is Puyuan’s first wife.
Asked if she is worried that the naunces and meaning of this Chinese play might get lost in the translation process, Faridah believes language has the power to be flexible.
“I really believe we can allow language to conform to what we want, instead allowing the language to dictate us.”
However, she adds she is not adverse to taking advice from the Chinese actors in her cast.
For example, if her actors point out that the English dialogue does not carry a similar meaning compared to the Chinese one, they would make appropriate changes.
Production assistant director Freddy Tan adds that doing the play in English will introduce Thunderstorm to a different crowd who may not have heard of this Chinese classic or its author.
“Despite the language being English, the cultural setting is very Chinese,” says Tan, who has been involved in the theatre scene since 2009 as a producer, director, and scriptwriter.
Tan also finds the time frame of this dramatic piece to be an interesting period.
“It was just after World War I and before World War II,” he says. “It was the beginning of the western influence in Chinese culture, and a beginning of western globalisation.
“There were Chinese who wanted to hold on to their cultural roots, while others wanted to be westernised.
“This will be reflected in our costumes and set designs. You will see the clash of lifestyles and mindsets.”
Though Thunderstorm was written more than 80 years ago, Tan finds the play has many universal themes that audiences today can relate to.
He says: “I think the audience will be touched and disturbed by what they see and hear. There are a lot of emotions in this play.”
For more, visit the klpac website.