Trump-inspired Cantonese opera: a new look at tradition

Trump-inspired Cantonese opera: a new look at tradition

In an impressive stage appearance in Hong Kong, US President Donald Trump presents himself with his characteristic blue suit and his red tie, while with an actor who is disguised as the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, he has a humorous exchange of blows. In this bizarre scene from the play "Trump, the twin president", the funny argument about Selenskyj's outfit is illustrated with water pistols. This play parodies current political events and awards the traditional Cantonese opera, which looks back on a history of several hundred years old, a modern shoot.

a new perspective on politics

The production group that stages the play celebrated its premiere in 2019 with a first trump-oriented performance over the first term of office of the President and has since released several new editions. The latest version not only includes the humorous exchange with Selenskyj, but also allusions to Trump and his attempted attack in Pennsylvania last summer and its controversial political decisions. In addition, Trump's relationship with Elon Musk and his attacks on Harvard are discussed.

creative forms of representation

The three and a half hour piece, which is performed in front of a sold -out audience, begins with a dream of Trump's daughter Ivanka. In this dream, her father has a fictional twin brother named Chuan Pu who lives in China - the Chinese transliteration of the name "Trump". Chuan travels to the USA while Trump is in the election campaign. When Trump is kidnapped by extraterrestrials, Ivanka Chuan asks to give up as her father to hold the country with China during a trade war.

a cultural heritage in a new light

The Cantonese Opera Composer Edward Li Kui-Ming, who is responsible for the piece, emphasizes that he chose Trump because of his global influence. "It is a comedy that reflects how the people of President Donald Trump are influenced," said Li, who is Feng Shui master.

tradition meets modern

The UNESCO recognized the Cantonese opera as a "intangible cultural heritage of mankind". With a story of over 500 years, this art form is known for its unique make-up, the traditional costumes and classic action lines. Despite its popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, the Cantonesian opera has had difficulties in gaining younger spectators in recent decades. Therefore, Li and his team do everything they can to modernize the genre and make it more attractive for younger audience.

a balancing act between humor and respect

The piece also integrates contemporary elements. The experienced actor Loong Koon-Tin turns into Trump by wearing a blonde wig and striking eyebrows, an approach that has more to do with modern theater. Traditionally, actors would paint their faces red and white and hatch into elaborate costumes. Loong emphasizes that he has worked hard to capture Trump's facial expressions and gestures, and says: "Every time I dive into the role. I am the Donald Trump."

li appeals to the audience that he has tried to convey a balanced perspective to ensure that everyone can identify with the piece. "I don't want to heat up political controversy," he said, adding: "I think everyone appreciates love and peace." During the performance, the audience, who mostly consists of young people, laughs and applauds. Adiva Zeng, 16 years old, is enthusiastic about the presentation of current geopolitical events in the context of Chinese culture. It describes the piece as captivating because it addresses both Ukraine and the USA and at the same time mixed with Chinese culture.

The future of the theater

Li has the desire to bring the piece to Broadway or elsewhere, although there are logistical and financial hurdles. He is convinced that both Trump and Selenskyj would appreciate his work, because both worked as entertainers before their political career. Trump was a moderator of the reality show "The Apprentice", while Selenskyj appears as a comedian, actor and writer in romantic comedies as well as in the political satire series "Diener of the People" in which he plays a teacher.

"Drama is life. Life is drama. And even ... Politics is drama," Castle Li. This shows how narrow art and politics are linked and how they can tell stories together that both entertain and stimulate thought.