2017年CRI Chinese idiom drama for kids coming to Beijing stage

 

A drama interpreting three Chinese idioms will soon be taking to the stage at the China National Theater for Children in Beijing.

It's part of a series created by the theater in 2014 called 'Box of Idioms,' which now comprises four productions, each containing three idioms.

The latest show features the 'Mere¹ Copycat' (东施效颦) and 'Contradictory² Behavior' (自相矛盾). 

Yin Xiaodong runs the children's theater.

"In terms of drama production, the theater places the emphasis on boosting traditional Chinese culture, introducing the classics of world literature, and reflecting realistic social issues. Each year, we try to bring a certain number of excellent dramas based on traditional Chinese culture to the stage. Chinese idioms are a favorite choice in making a drama, as they let us vividly³ present the wisdom of the Chinese people, their values and even Chinese philosophy."

The fourth in the 'Box of Idioms' series also contains the story based on 'Professed⁴ love of what one really fears.' (叶公好龙) It originates from a story about Lord Ye who lived in the ancient Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China (between 740 and 480 BC). 

Lord Ye often said he was fond of dragons, but when he actually came face to face with one, he was so scared out of his wits, he ran away as fast as he could.

The 'Box of Idioms' was presented to overseas audiences during the China Children's Theater Festival. 

As part of that festival, several young actors from the US Missoula Children's Theater also performed a drama based on Chinese idiom stories, namely 'Be There Just To Make Up The Numbers' (滥竽充数) and 'Carve on the Moving Boat to Find the Lost Sword.'(刻舟求剑)

1 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

2 contradictory   

adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立

参考例句：

• The argument is internally contradictory.论据本身自相矛盾。
• What he said was self-contradictory.他讲话前后不符。

3 vividly   

adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地

参考例句：

• The speaker pictured the suffering of the poor vividly.演讲者很生动地描述了穷人的生活。
• The characters in the book are vividly presented.这本书里的人物写得栩栩如生。

4 professed   

公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的

参考例句：

• These, at least, were their professed reasons for pulling out of the deal. 至少这些是他们自称退出这宗交易的理由。
• Her manner professed a gaiety that she did not feel. 她的神态显出一种她并未实际感受到的快乐。