THE DEATH OF IDEAL

When you still keep something in expectation, but you find that something is fleeing from your life.

Last night, i went to Hong Kong Arts Centre for the reason of Lai Shengchuan's lastest drama WRITING IN WATER. In spite of his reputation and huge success, I find myself a big disappointment with the drama and Lai.

Once been said to be the most famous Chinese theatre director, Lai Shengchuan, the founder of Taiwan shows mania. I should admit that I have been shocked when I first saw his distinguished drama Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land in 2006 even I was on the last row of the theatre. Some people laughed, some people cried, everyone could find his own sympathetic response of soul in the drama. Since that time, I remember his name and respect him as the most creative play writer in China, the dramas he writes could deeply touch people in their inner soul.

Comparing with his former works, his new drama Writing in Water I saw last night still follows his own personal style mixed sorrow and happy. It describes the unhappy status quo of the current Hong Kong people in economic crisis and tries to induce people how to find their real self. To outward seeming, the drama which included a lot of comedy elements to make audiences laugh and was over with a significance ending was so successful. However from another side, the whole drama was divided into 25 acts and each act only last 2-3 mins, which made the drama fragmentary and disrupted. Though it was just a creative play no need to care for every detail, there were many plots lacking evidence and seemed unnecessary. Even Lai Shengchuan himself admited that some details were just for fun and have no meaning for the theme of drama. Contrast to conpaction of Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land his first drama 20 years ago, the new drama looks like a fast food without deliberate thought.

Maybe it could be said the death of ideal. As people are young, they are always full of confidence of what they want to do . They devote themselves to their affectionate dream, without hesitation and fear. That's why Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land could be so touching. We could find our lost faith and love in it. But after 20 years, life always changes people into a mainstream value conception way, no exception to Lai. There is no enthusiasm, no vitality, no dream, no desperation , even sorrow and happy pretending obviously. Only remained, the trace of being squeezed by capitalism, the economic benefits behind of big success.

My friend cried at the end of the last act when the actress was reminded of her past mother, but I did not. I know she did not see Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land before, and in that time I did cry three years ago in the theatre when applause never ended. I wanna talk to her, if you see that drama, you will find your tear now is cheated by the after 20 years' Lai.

Lai Shengchuan with his lastest drama Writing In Water