Taiwan NOW Aphrodite EN

Taiwan-Japan Co-production

New Taiwanese Opera

Miwa YANAGI ShiuKim Taiwanese Opera Troupe Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group

Producer/ LIN Mun-Lee Doctoral degree in education from the University of Tokyo; current Chairperson of the National Culture and Arts Foundation (NCAF); emeritus professor at the Department of Arts and Design, National Taipei University of Education

The new Taiwanese opera Aphrodite

Group. Taiwanese opera librettist

is not only the grand finale of the

and screenwriter WANG You-hui,

Taiwan NOW arts project, but also an

composer CHOU Yi-Chien, arranger

exciting drama co-created and co-

CHU Yun-Song, and costume

produced by Taiwan and Japan. Miwa

designer CHIN Ping-ping are invited

YANAGI, a well-known Japanese

to fuse contemporary aesthetics

contemporary artist, has long been

and techniques into Taiwanese

fascinated by the natural ecology

traditional folk art. Combining

and folk activities of Taiwan. Having

contemporary images, lighting and

a deep affection for the island, she

mechanical installations of orchids,

was invited to create a play based on

this co-production showcases the

Taiwan's unique endemic butterfly

power of cross-domain and cross-

orchids (Phalaenopsis aphrodite) as

national co-creation.

the overarching theme to tell the journey of change for white butterfly

Conceived before the pandemic,

orchids through Taiwanese opera.

Aphrodite has weathered through the fear and helplessness of the

Building on the creative concept

COVID scare. And now, Aphrodite

of Miwa YANAGI, the play brings

bravely blossoms despite the

together three major Taiwanese

ongoing pandemic!

opera troupes in south Taiwan—

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Shiu-Kim Taiwanese Opera Troupe,

It tells more than just the story

Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe,

of Taiwan, but also the story of

and Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural

mankind!

Photo of Phalaenopsis aphrodite Phalaenopsis aphrodite Thanks to Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center (KBCC) Photo credit: Miwa Yanagi

Script, Director and Stage Design/ Miwa YANAGI Visual artist and stage director. MFA from Kyoto City University of Arts. Starting in the summer of 2016, her Wing of the Sun outdoor theater play, performed on a Taiwan-made mobile stage truck, toured around various parts of Japan.

Embracing flowers and gifting

centuries of artificial pollination,

flowers

mass production has been made possible in recent years.

Taiwan has many native orchids.

The richness and diversity of these

A trip to Orchid Island five years

orchids give us a glimpse of the

ago initiated my investigation into

profundity of Taiwan's nature.

Taiwan's endemic orchids. The white butterfly orchids that used to

Orchids are epiphytic plants

bloom in the mountains of Orchid

that adapt themselves to the

Island became famous after it was

environment and constantly

discovered and was given name of

change their forms to continue

Phalaenopsis aphrodite, the name

their survival. By allowing fungi to

of the goddess of beauty. Nowadays,

grow on their roots, they maintain

it's very difficult to find wild

a symbiotic relationship with

Phalaenopsis aphrodite, so it has

other plants as they evolve. After

become a coveted dream species.

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Strangely enough, people in Japan

In the difficult circumstances under

have a soft spot for white butterfly

the pandemic, the crew in both

orchids, as they are must-have

Taiwan and Japan have worked

expensive gifts at weddings and

together to create this production—

funerals. The large, spreading petals

from the lyrics, music, to the

look like pure white plastic. After

costumes. I can't help but imagine

the ceremonies, most of the orchids

that in the distant future, Aphrodite

are destined to be discarded. For

can become a traditional play that

years, I have wanted to create a

lives on in Taiwan, performed in

theater production based on orchids.

front of temples to continue to sing the orchid story.

When I received the invitation from Taiwan NOW to create a

In my heart, Taiwan's cultural

Taiwanese opera with the theme

diversity is like the beautiful

of flowers, Phalaenopsis aphrodite

resilience of wild plants. Even after

immediately came to mind. I am

being manipulated and having its

also deeply fascinated by the charm

appearance altered by external

of Taiwanese opera performed in

forces, Taiwan continues to be the

Taiwanese Hokkien.

cradle of these resilient flowers.

I am grateful to have this opportunity to use this wonderful cultural exchange to offer these beautiful flowers to all the Taiwanese friends in Japan.

Photo of Phalaenopsis aphrodite specimen A Phalaenopsis aphrodite specimen collected from Redhead Island (today's Orchid Island) in 1920 Thanks to TAI Herbarium at National Taiwan University 4

Lyrics and Script for Taiwanese Opera/ Yu-Hui WANG A veteran theater professional; professor and chair of the Graduate Institute of Children's Literature at National Taitung University. An active choreographer, director, and performer in Taiwan's modern theaters, as well as a playwright-director in traditional opera.

Aphrodite orchids in full bloom –

working Taiwanese opera script. The

be amazed

language we use in everyday life has undergone tremendous changes.

Let it be visual art or theater

Letting the audience understand

productions, director Miwa

the words in a new creation of

YANAGI has always had a keen

Taiwanese opera is only the

eye for social criticism and avant-

beginning. What's more important

garde approaches. How can her

is to bring out the vocal rhythms of

reflective insight and collision with

the singing and speaking parts, and

reality be enmeshed in the fabric

to shine a spotlight on the literary

of a mythical story? And how can

beauty of Taiwanese Hokkien that

we create moving and thought-

has been neglected or even belittled

provoking scenes through the power

in the past.

of Taiwanese opera singing? That was the most brain intensive part

This is a mythical story about

of assisting the director during the

orchids crossing the seas, and also a

creative process.

fable that reminds us not to forget

On the other hand, it was also a

our beginnings. Who knew that

struggle in my attempt to integrate

orchids and Taiwanese opera share

contemporary thinking and

a similar life story? Aphrodite,

pragmatics into the traditional

incepted but dormant under the

Taiwanese opera performance.

pandemic, finally blooms, ready to

It was a challenge to translate

blossom in front of the audience.

the script from Japanese into a 5

Story Summary Aphrodite tells the story of the intertwined fate of orchid fairies who have lived a carefree long life, villagers who live among orchids, and people who are obsessed with

Characters

the beauty of orchids and the wealth

Orchid Fairy 1 / CHANG Shiu-kim /

they bring.

A white butterfly orchid fairy living in the secluded Orchid Realm

In the secluded Orchid Realm tucked away in the mountains of an island,

Orchid Fairy 2 / ZHUANG Jin-mei /

a stunning variety of orchids are in

Another white butterfly orchid fairy

full bloom. The Aphrodite orchids

living in the secluded Orchid Realm

are the particularly beautiful white butterfly orchids. The children in

Professor Sen / CHEN Chao-hsiang /

Orchid Realm listen to the orchid

An anthropologist

fairies' songs and sing along with them.

Mr. Lin / KUO Chun-mei / A botanist

One day, Professor Sen, an anthropologist who has been

Mana / SUN Shi-wen /

studying Orchid Realm, brings

A girl who grew up in Orchid Realm

botanist Mr. Lin with him to this untouched place. At first sight, Mr.

Orchid Merchant / Mi-Hsueh /

Lin is immediately intoxicated by

A businessman who knows how the

the beauty of the Aphrodite orchid

money game works

fairies. He secretly takes an orchid fairy out of Orchid Realm. In his

The Three Boys of Orchid Realm /

lab, Mr. Lin studies to improve the

SUN Kai-lin, WU Yi-xuan, ZHANG

Aphrodite orchid, making it whiter

Xin-yi

and bigger. A merchant who sees the Aphrodite orchid visits Lin's lab

Wild Orchid /

and proposes to mass produce it.

JIAN Jia-yi, GUO Jia-ling, LIN Yu-ting, LIN Jia-xin, YANG Xiu-mei, CHEN

As a result, the DNA of the

Man-ling, CHEN Min-hua, CHEN Hui-

Aphrodite orchid is continuously

hua

being cloned and bred. The chorus of the mass-produced cloned orchids

Cloned Orchid Chorus /

finally drown out the faint singing

Shu-Te University Department of

voice of the wild orchids in Orchid

Performing Arts

Realm.

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Overture - The Orchid Legacy Song A <The Beginning of Orchids> Orchid Fairys 1 & 2

When the heavens and earth were created in the ancient times, the seas swelled and the mountains moved. Islands rose up in the seas and beautiful ethereal sounds washed over like the rainbow.

Mana

Born with the power to see into the future, ancient trees grow entwined with reishi and orchids. The seeds come from thousands of miles away, untainted by dust and enchanted by butterflies.

Three Boys

The white flowers are pure and innocent, living carefree in timeless nature. Hidden from the world for many years, they are uninterested in mundane affairs.

B <The Tale of Orchids> 1 Fairy 2 Fairy 1 Fairy 2

In the deep mountains of the island, I'm wearing white and smelling a sweet scent.

Ancient tunes are carried by the wind,

Fairy 1

the flowers bloom as I tread on the clouds.

Fairy 2

Like a butterfly fluttering away from home,

Fairy 1

sorrows and joys, parting and reunion are

Fairy 1&2

Into the world across the seas, the orchids

impermanence. continue to sing. The orchids continue to sing.

Fairy 2

White orchids, oh white orchids......

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Act 1 - Orchid Realm B <The Tale of Orchids> 2 Mana, Three Boys

Like a butterfly fluttering away from home, sorrows and joys, parting and reunion are impermanence.

Into the world across the seas, the orchids continue to sing. The orchids continue to sing.

C <Marvel of the Orchids> 1 Sen

Searching for wonders across the island, I've discovered the secluded Orchid Realm.

Lin

The flowers are delicate and lovely, enticing people with their irresistible charm.

C <Marvel of the Orchids> 2 Lin

Who knows love at first sight? When the sea is in love, it swells.

When the mountains is in love, it stands.

When a flower blooms, one's love deepens.

D <The Orchid Prophecy> 1 Fairy 1

An ancient orchid legend says the king of

flowers left a prophetic poem.

Fairy 2

The beautiful orchid is like a dream; flowers like butterflies are enchanting.

E <The Inner Voice of Lin> Lin

Beautiful orchid, I'll take care of you with all my heart. Beautiful orchid, I'll take care of you with all my heart. I can't bear to let you be hurt by the sun or the wind. I can't bear to let you be harmed by the rain or the frost.

For the sake of this world, I want to preserve what was once there. For the sake of this age, I want to create a future that will always be there.

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Act 2 - Orchid Obsession D <The Orchid Prophecy> 2 Fairy 1

Budding and growing into magnificent flowers,

Fairy 2

the time has come for descendants to flourish.

Fairy 1

Crossing the sea to the city,

Fairy 2

we offer the world our slender beauty.

F <Yearning of the Orchid> Behind the scenes

Butterflies fly, butterflies fly, white orchids bloom in the deep mountains.

Growing near the tree, never touching the ground, they disguise themselves as weed.

Lin

White orchid in a foreign land, its shriveled flowers swaying in the wind.

My cultivation is in vain, but I hope I can revive it with all my heart.

Orchid Fairy 1

Butterflies fly, butterflies fly, white orchid yearning in a foreign land. White orchid yearning in a foreign land.

Orchid Fairy 2

White orchids being forced to marry, tears are frozen grudging the wind's matchmaking.

Moon reflected in the water as floating clouds pass by, I'm thinking of you and sending you a letter of homesick.

Orchid Fairys 1 & 2

Hoping for spring's return as I also return with spring, my heart is torn with the longing to meet again.

Butterflies fly, butterflies fly, white orchid yearning in a foreign land. White orchid yearning in a foreign land. White orchid yearning in a foreign land.

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G <Sen and Lin Reminisce> Lin

I have skillfully altered the DNA, now its petals are white as cotton.

Such beautiful color white like the snow, butterflies dance around the orchid flower.

Sen

Strange things are happening in the village.

People from different places are coming to hunt for novelty.

Their words are as sweet as honey, but it's all because the orchids are ready for picking.

Sen

Some are looking for novelty, some are looking for money.

They are plucking flowers everywhere for profit. (Speaking) Someday! (Singing) The flowers will fade and regret will be too late.

H <Apprehension of the Orchids> 1 Fairy 1

Orchid Realm hides the secret of heaven, as orchids grow under the heavenly blessing.

Fairy 2

Flowers bloom and exhale with aura, befitting their name as they live unrestrained and free.

Fairy 1

But human desires brew greed, trees and plants can only mourn in suffering.

Fairy 2

If we don't turn back and feel remorse, everything will be destroyed before too long.

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Orchid Fairy 1

Everything will be destroyed before too long.

Orchid Fairys 1 & 2

Everything will be destroyed before too long.

Act 3 - Disappearance of the Legend I <Sen's Yearning> Sen

I have gazed at the moon in my hometown for a thousand nights, thinking about the orchids in my mind.

Climbing up the rugged mountain path, I've worn out many pairs of shoes. I have no wings to fly, but orchids appear in my dream every night, every night.

Oh I! I! I have a pen, but I cannot write.

I just want to see you again, the spark in your eyes. I pray to return, to the place where you came from. Quietly and secretly, let me atone for my sins.

J <Temptation of the Orchid Merchant> Lin

I cherish it day and night, and let time stop for a moment, as I put the beauty away in the glass cabinet...

Orchid Merchant

You should be called a national treasure!

Lin

You are so clever with your words, and you shouldn't hide your evil intentions.

I have labored to protect the orchid, but how can you understand?

Orchid Merchant

The flower you care has long been famous all over the world. Us two, we should work together.

Beautiful flowers are invaluable and loved by everyone. I am helping you for the future.

(Speaking) Oh! The flowering time is limited.

There's no way for us to ...(singing) wait too long!

Lin

Back in the days, it drifted in the tides, riding the Kuroshio current across the seas.

It attached itself and grew air roots, living on top of layers of tree bark. It was born with beauty, once free and unrestrained. Everything was going according to the heavenly way.

Orchid Merchant

Wild purebreds are hard to come by. Purebreds are hard to come by.

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L <Orchid Festival> 1 Cloned Orchids

Butterflies fly, butterflies fly, orchids reflect in the mirror.

Butterflies fly, butterflies fly, color orchids in a splendor.

Ten months bring a baby's cry, a lifetime of lament and sorrow.

Men and women tie the knot. How the years gone by?

A single flower in between. Butterfly orchids rely on each other!

H <Apprehension of the Orchids> 2 Orchid Fairy 1

Orchid Realm hides the secret of heaven, as orchids grow under the heavenly blessing.

Flowers bloom and exhale with aura, waiting for that someone in a distant land.

Sen

The towering flowers fill the city, they are dyed with colors, losing their luster and soul.

Forgetting their true roots, they will never be the king of flowers. Never be the king of flowers.

M <The Heart of Mana> Mana

I took them into the deep mountains and discovered wild flowers blooming. Following him, I crossed the stream, looking for the hope of prosperity. The moon has risen and fallen many times, and I've traveled places, tainted by dust. With all my heart, I work hard to write a new story of the future. But I've forgotten, I've forgotten, a page in my own heritage.

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Act 4 - Children of Orchids N <One Person, One Story> Orchid Merchant

Flowers in my dream. The heart of the flower hides wealth and prosperity.

Who in the world knows? Wealth is nothing but a dream.

Sen

Far away, where are you? I am with the orchids in Orchid Realm.

Lin

I've lost my soul and my color, obsessed with preserving the orchids.

Mana

I've taken the wrong path, not returning.

Remember to always follow you heart, don't go against it. Remember to always follow you heart, don't go against it.

B <The Tale of Orchids> 4 Fairys 1 & 2

In the deep mountains of the island,

Sen

I'm wearing white and smelling a sweet scent.

Lin

Ancient tunes are carried by the wind, Mana

the flowers bloom as I tread on the clouds.

On the clouds.

All

Like a butterfly fluttering away from home, sorrows and joys, parting and reunion are impermanence; into the world across the seas, the orchids continue to sing. The orchids continue to sing.

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Finale - Carnival B <The Tale of Orchids> 5 Wild Orchids and

In the deep mountains of the island, I'm

Cloned Orchids

wearing white and smelling a sweet scent.

Ancient tunes are carried by the wind, and the flowers bloom as I tread on the clouds.

On the clouds. Like a butterfly fluttering away from home, sorrows and joys, parting and reunion are impermanence. Into the world across the seas, the orchids continue to sing. The orchids continue to sing.

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Production Team Producer / LIN Mun-Lee Script, Director and Stage Design / Miwa YANAGI Lyrics and Script for Taiwanese Opera / Yu-Hui WANG Performers / Shiu-Kim Taiwanese Opera Troupe, Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe, Ming Hua Yuan Tian Zi Art &Culture Group Composer / Yi-Qian ZHOU

Aphrodite Producer / Yukio NITTA

Music Design / Yun-Song ZHU

Production Team / Kanako

Costume Design Coordinator / Ping-

YAMASAKI, Tsubasa SIMIZU

Ping JIN

Production Stage Manager / Wei-

Costume Design / Zhao-Xiang WU,

Wei, WU

Yu-Yuan LIN

Program Administrator / Joanne

Lighting Design / Takayuki

YANG, Yu-Pi CHEN

FUJIMOTO

Stage Manager / Ting-Ting CHANG,

Projection Design / Tadashi MITANI

Zheng-Hua CHEN

Choreography / Benson TSAI

Production Coordinator / We ART

Musician / Hsin-Han CHEN, Jen-

Together Foundation

Yu KUO, Chyuan-Jhan WU, Pei-Sian

Projection Coordinator / Ethan

WANG

WANG

Projection Supervisor / Zhu and Yong Ltd. Sound Field Design & Audio Coordinator / To-Fu CHEN Audio Equipment / Fly Sound Enterprise Co. Technical Coordinator / Chih-Wei CHOU Stage Making / Chengxu Space Industrial Co., Ltd. Stage Structurer / ET Stage Sound Engineering Co., Ltd. Associate Lighting Design / Yung-Hung SUNG Assistant Lighting Design / Yi-Ju WU Lighting Equipment / WARSHIP Sound & Lighting Engineering Robot Production / Keitaro MASAOKA, Masaki NAKANO Robot Operator / Hideaki HASIBA Ensemble Coaching / Bessy LAN Cooperative School / Shu-Te University Department of Performing Arts Special Thanks / Kyoto University of the Arts ULTRA FACOTRY, Chishima Foundation for Creative Osaka, Kazushi OTA (Stage Manager), Tadonori KUROTOBI (Stage Manager Assistant), Wen-Shan LEE, Huey-Mei LEE, ChaoLiang SHEN, Yu-Pin LIN, Jer-Ming HU, Chi-Feng CHANG, Chin-Cheng CHEN, Chia-Ching TSOU, Hsin-Hsin TSAI, Hsiao-Mei HSIEH Photography / Hong-Chi HUANG Live-streaming / Taiwan Public Television Documentary / Chinese Television System Inc.

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Date | 2021.12.25 Sat 19:30 GMT+9 Venue | Outdoor Theater, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

Advisor | Ministry of Culture Organizer | The Cultural Taiwan Foundation Co-organizer | Asia NOW Executive Committee

(represented by Culture Vision Japan Foundation Inc.)

Cooperation | National Culture and Arts Foundation, Weiwuying National Performing Arts Center, Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government Length | Approximately 90 minutes; no intermission.

Language ｜ Taiwanese Hokkien

Special Performance ｜ Be An Extraordinary Ordinary Person by Shihhao YANG

17:00 Banyan Plaza; 19:00 Outdoor Theater

The organizer reserves the right to change the program.