abstractSynopsis:
The play adapts Li Yu’s novelette, "A Male Mencius’s Mother Educates His Son and Moves House Three Times." It stages an unconventional cross-gender and culture-blending spectacles that set in different time and place. Part one mostly follows the original story while part two is an extension from Li Yu's creation. Set in 1912-1915, Fujian, part one tells of a love story between last selected xiucai, Xu Jifang and a beautiful youth, You Ruilang. The two lovers love with passion and devotion: Ruilang even castrates himself in order to remain true and loyal to Jifang. Chen Dalong, Jifang's previous partner, covets over Ruilang's beauty and plots against Jifang due to his jealousy. Jifang is thus arrested and dies in the process of interrogation. Situated in Taiwan in 1959-1964 when martial law is still practiced, Part Two describes Ruiniang (who changed her name from Ruilang) and Xiaojiang's (Ruilang's cousin who is always in men's wear) unconventional relationship and how they together raise Chengxian (Jifang's only son). Despite Ruiniang's efforts to protect Chengxian from Nanfeng fashion (homosexual practice), Chengxian still falls in love with Chen Dalong's nephew, Chen Nianzu. In spite of Ruiniang's concern and traumatic memory, their relationship is finally accepted in the course of time. Various music elements are applied in this production. In part one, actors sing Nanquan live in the performance to present the fictional atmosphere as well as epitomize the intertwined relationships. Jazz, Mambo and Cha-cha are applied in part two to symbolize and stage a joyful, cross-cultural reunion. "