Some negative comments that I have received informally.
Topic - Xiangju Troupe's Performance
- The scripts too old, too traditional, no break through, not refreshing enough and no new input in the performance.
- Not able to adapt and receive new ideas, not open enough and unable to attract more audience.
- Not interesting enough, performance not up to standard, tunes not nice and catchy and pitch too high.
- Always that few shows, music and actors don't co-ordinate, weak orchestra, performance style just not his/her cup of tea - too traditional??.
- actors not pretty enough...(Hahahahahahaha)
So what do you think?
My own thoughts;
In a troupe, there are pros and cons.
I agree that the troupe's scripts are old and some are more than decades old. We don't have a pool of talented writers to write for new scripts. The direction that the troupe is heading is definitely traditional xiangju opera and I don't think the management will open up to experimental opera to attract younger audience.
At this moment of time, I don't think so. The troupe has been in this 才子佳人theme for so long. The mindset is vastly different and perhaps not quite possible for bold changes.
Sadly, the market for Xiangju Opera isn't as large as Taiwan and China. There are so many lacking factors namely funds, talent, music etc. Due to these factors, the progress is slow though the troupe exists more than 2 decades.
Audience....Hmm... the troupe has her audience. I agree that most of them are not young. May I write in this way... Ironically, we have younger actors in the troupe than audience...(LOL)
Performance style - Personally I think the songs (most of them) are nice, it is just that we don't sing well enough. The songs may not be as catchy as Gezaixi tunes which I agree. However how well do we sing if we were given Gezaixi tunes? Do you think we will do better with the Gezaixi tunes?
I know some audience ever commented that if we were to sing gezaixi tunes, we surely spice up our performance. To certain extent, there is a possiblity.
Again, the same question, how well can we sing? How well can we coordinate with the musicians?
Here, we don't know.
In regards to actors not pretty enough.. I think it is rather personal... How do you define "pretty"?
Your "pretty" may be someone " not pretty enough".
The troupe isn't running a beauty contest. It is only an amatuer troupe. As long as any Tom, Dick or Harry wishes to join, we welcome with open arms.
It is not easy to come across a troupe blessed with Brainy Beauties with Talents. (LOL)
I know there are such troupes... but not certainly in our area.
In conclusion, the management is the key to what direction the troupe is heading.
At present, I am not concerned... I just want to be happy as I am and do what I like.
It is always a more joyful experience being an audience than an actress, don't you agree? (LOL)