Blending theatre and music to tell the story of the legendary female warrior in anti-war concert.

Thanks to the popular Disney film adaptations, the legend of Hua Mu Lan has gone far beyond the confines of Chinese culture, an internationally-renowned female warrior who save her father by taking his place in the army. Something about the story of courage and ferocious tenacity never gets old, and allows it to continue finding resonance in new adaptations and inspired work, including Ding Yi Music Company’s latest concert Hua Mu Lan.

Joining forces with theatre director Danny Yeo, alongside composer Sulwyn Lok and playwright Neo Hai Bin, Hua Mu Lan brings the classic story of war and female identity to life by blending literature, Chinese chamber music and drama. Unlike a typical concert, conductor Dedric Wong is positioned onstage, in the middle of all the action, rather than front and centre with the orchestra. Actress Jodi Chan stands downstage, and we already hear the orchestra playing, creating a heady atmosphere and what to expect for the show.

As the performance starts, we imagine there being a race to the top of the “food chain”, a rush of emotions as we prepare for war. The music certainly amplifies that, with the almost ceremonial-sounding suona, and the sheng taking the lead. As a concert first, the focus remains on the music, with minimal use of the screen displaying a medley of colours that reflect the mood and showcasing each scene’s title. In that regard, Jodi Chan’s performance is essential to bringing the story to the fore, while the guzheng’s playing adds to the inherent darkness of the script.

The suona and sheng are key to evoking the sense of intrigue, and guzheng player Li You shows off her mastery of the instrument, playing fast while completely focused, a sight to behold. Providing the melody, the erhu sets the mood as Mu Lan says her final goodbyes before going to war, the entire ensemble manipulating the instruments so deftly that you can almost hear them as different voices responding to Mu Lan. Meanwhile, the pulling of the strings and screeching sounds mimics horse neighs, and then the trotting of their hooves, well-thought out as it all comes together in a single scene to help us imagine it in our mind’s eye.

As Mu Lan prepares for war, realising how one can never truly be ready, Ding Yi chooses to show her training via the instruments, as she attempts to master them. While her initial attempts to play the ruan and pipa lead to laughter and cajoling by others (represented by the suona and sheng, almost like hyenas), she never gives up. With the rhythm in her heart, she approaches the drums with confidence and conquers it with aplomb.

Accompanied by Tan Jie Qing on the drums, it feels like the two of them are now on a mission, both of them maintaining strong onstage chemistry as they ride bravely into the chaos of war, while the orchestra shouts ‘kill! 杀!”. Mu Lan transforms into general Hua, and the orchestra becomes a chorus, the sounds of battle fading away, as it ends. Looking around for survivors, she realises a friend is badly injured, and in trying to save her, she carefully takes a red cloth and swaddles the victim, before carrying her to safety, the fragility of life and seeing so much loss written all over her face. Emotions are certainly something Danny does extremely well in getting out of the actors, his understanding of the script and what is needed for all to see.

As for conductor Dedric, this was certainly a very different performance for him, as he is front and centre, always surrounded by the action, in the middle of all the chaos. In that sense, Dedric feels like a conductor an more – someone who is squarely leading the charge, the general of his own army. And that army happens to be the orchestra, well-trained and rehearsed, always knowing exactly when to come in. Their enthusiasm is infectious, their energy felt throughout, always at the ready with their ‘weapons’, and drumming up a storm of music that further immerses us and makes us feel like we’re on an epic battlefield.

And in the final moments, we wonder if the war is truly over, as Mu Lan changes from her battle gear to her old clothes, reverting back to her old self. This is a pyrrhic victory, a war that they have won, but so much that has been lost in the process as well. There is melancholy in her eyes, as she sings, crying to unite the community. Joined by the youth ensemble onstage in this grand finale, we think about how our predecessors have paved the way for us to be able to be where we are today, and it is up to us to continue fighting the good fight, living life and resisting war, all to keep our place in this world, and for peace.

Photo Credit: Ding Yi Music Company

Hua Mu Lan played on 15th September 2024 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium. More information available here

Production Credits:

Conductor Wong De Li, Dedric Director Danny Yeo Composer Sulwyn Lok Playwright Neo Hai Bin Yangqin Tan Jie Qing Actress Jodi Chan