SEVER
Commissioned by thr China Shanghai International Arts Festival R.A.W. Program. Film production by David Harris, Zhu Ma, Lu Su. Composed by Zhu Ma with the band Xi Ban. OzAsia Festival and the Adelaide Festival Centre. Elder Hall. University of Adelaide. October 8. 2017
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
Much if not most of the work on show at this year’s OzAsia
Festival offers a glimpse into contemporary Asian performances. Sever fuses performance of traditional
Peking Opera with filmed vision of life in present day Beijing. In an ingenious
stroke of the imagination, film makers David Harris, Zhu Ma and Lu Su have used
the meeting of the legendary general Guan Yu with the beautiful Diao Chan to combine
the highly stylized performance of Peking Opera with film of a modern day
China. In the struggle that ensues, Guan Yu is transported into modern times to
confront the alien world and its customs. Gradually he loses his identity and
his clothing is removed by a woman who transforms into Diao Chan depriving Guan
Yu of his identity as the brave general from the Three Kingdoms. His
bewilderment grows as he confronts a modern society in a surreal landscape of
confusion and alienation.
The film is accompanied by a singer in traditional Peking
Opera costume. She represents the beautiful Diao Chan and sings the high pitched
song of the opera as the Xi Ban Band creates the live film score with
traditional Peking Opera instruments, including stringed instruments and
percussion. Hurled beyond his time , Guan Yu struggles to retrieve his stolen clothes before the amused and
puzzled looks of passers-by. An object of fun and ridicule, the great general
gradually morphs into an ordinary citizen, stripped of status and identity.
The film comes to an abrupt end and there is a short break
before members of the band return to demonstrate their versatility with electric
guitar, bass, saxophone and drums in a concert of loud rock. These are the
rythms, sounds and instruments of a modern age. The final part of the programme
re-introduces the beautiful Peking Opera singer, still in traditional costume
to sing an aria from the opera. Her stylized, superbly pitched and shrill voice
is accompanied by a jazz ensemble, improvising to the alluring sound of her captivating
voice. It is a virtuoso display of musical dexterity and the fascinating fusion
of the traditional with the contemporary.
The venerable graciousness of the Elder Hall, though more
suited to recitals , appeared a less appropriate space for this work. Neither
the absence of the theatrical spectacle of Peking Opera, nor the lack of impact
of a larger screen, did the event complete justice. The vocal and musical
artistry were indisputable and the demonstration offered an insight into the
colourful and dramatic impact of Peking Opera. Poor lighting and flat floor
auditorium seating diminished my engagement with a performance that warranted
greater professional presentation to do justice both to the highly skilled
artists and the unique and inventive fusion of traditional and contemporary
Chinese culture.