Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist

Successfully adapted from the Yue opera classic, The Prime Minister's Concubine, this performance of The Gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion not only maintains the splendor of the original work through its structure, character depiction and theme, but also precisely exploits the beauty of the Hakka language.  Trained in Beijing opera, the young actors of the Jung-Hsing troupe are outstanding in their posturing, acting, singing and character interpretation.  While exhibiting a degree of refinement, these young actors' cooperation with senior actors is unexpectedly adroit and contributes to the integrity and maturity of the performance.  The design of the music is based on traditional Hakka music, yet incorporates elements of popular contemporary music.  Such a fusion is rich and multifaceted, and uniquely assimilates tunes of different genres without shadowing the prominent features.  Positioned between tradition and innovation, the stable progression and remarkable achievements of the play make it an inspiration to drama and opera troupes of the future. (By Ya-hsiang HSU)