Leo Tolstoy's epic novel War and Peace is world-renowned, with countless adaptations in various forms by artists across the globe. However, this marks the first attempt to adapt this monumental work into a musical in China. From December 20 to 29, the National Centre for the Performing Arts's first original musical War and Peace will have its premiere at the Beijing Performing Arts Center. This production not only signifies the National Centre for the Performing Arts's expansion into new creative fields beyond its existing five major categories but also answers the long-held curiosity of both the audience and industry professionals.
As the curtain rises, an arch-shaped Fabergé egg, tilted and suspended above the stage, metaphorically hints at the impending collapse of a decadent, fragile aristocratic world. The opening chorus of "What Kind of World Is This?" resounds boldly, setting the tone with the tension of an approaching war and a satire of the extravagant aristocracy. This establishes the serious and reflective foundation of the musical War and Peace.
A major production celebrating the 17th anniversary of the National Centre for the Performing Arts's establishment and the 1st anniversary of the Beijing Performing Arts Center, War and Peace brings together an international creative team led by composer Shu Nan, playwright and lyricist Yu Rongjun, and Russian director Alina Chevik. Based on Tolstoy's original million-word novel, Yu Rongjun reinterprets the script from the perspective of contemporary audience aesthetics, significantly condensing the plot and the number of characters. The vast, turbulent epic is compressed into the life journeys of the young generation—Andrei, Pierre, Natasha, and others. Over a 3-hour performance, numerous distinctive arias interweave throughout: Andrei's "Sacrifice" and "The Life I Once Hated," Pierre's "I Am a Superfluous Man," Helen's "Death and Madness," and Natasha's "You Never Left" vividly portray the lives of individuals amidst war and deeply reveal the transformation and irreparable trauma war leaves on the youth. The choral pieces "Great Comet" at the end of the first act and the curtain call song "Together" at the end of the second act are particularly memorable, from the tragic song of the falling star to the lively celebration of the protagonists crossing into the modern world. The stark contrast between the two acts further emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the timeless theme of War and Peace.
The stage presentation matches the grandeur of the work's concept. Brilliant chandeliers and long staircases frequently appear, while simple sets and flowing images create an interwoven reality and illusion. The scenes of glorious palaces, tranquil villages, and boundless starry skies are deeply moving. Among them, the most striking feature is the arc formed by multiple LED screens. In the design by set designer Vyacheslav Okuniev, during the brief moment of peace, the arc transforms with the images into palace domes and simple garden pavilions, sheltering life from the storm. As war breaks out, a blinding red light bursts from the shattered arc, symbolizing the devastation and human suffering of the harsh reality. Ultimately, the arc fragments form an "earth" of green hills and blue waters, referencing the word "Mip" from the original novel's title, symbolizing "the world" and lifting the musical's artistic vision to new heights.
Translator: FENG Haoxuan
Reviewer: BAI Jing
