The original musical drama The Story of Wang Luobin by the Longma Studio Guoli Theater Troupe was recently performed in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Written by renowned mainland screenwriter Zou Jingzhi and directed by the famous Chinese mainland actor Zhang Guoli, the nearly three‑hour performance weaves together more than a dozen beloved Western-China classic folk songs—such as Zai Na Yaoyuan De Difang, The Girl from Dabancheng, and Dance of Youth—to tell the dramatic life story of Wang Luobin, the "King of Western Folk Songs."
A cross‑time dialogue in overlapping time and space
The Story of Wang Luobin adopts a dual‑timeline narrative. The memories of the elderly Wang Luobin, played by Zhang Guoli, serve as the thread, overlapping in time and space with the storyline of the young Wang Luobin, creating a dialogue across eras. The young Wang Luobin is portrayed by mainland young musical actor Zhou Mohan. When asked about sharing the same role with Zhang Guoli, Zhou said, "What I need to do is to both pick up what he gives and carry the story forward completely." He expressed his hope that through this dual‑timeline approach, the life of Wang can be presented more stereoscopically, allowing the audience to understand what kind of person Wang truly was.'
What kind of person was Wang? Zhou's answer is: free‑spirited, pure, and romantic. Zhou revealed that although his role is "Young Wang Luobin," his scenes actually start from when Wang was around 20 years old, studying at the National Art School of Beiping, and go all the way until he is nearly 70—a span of almost 40 years. Moreover, a significant part of the story takes place in the 1930s. "There's a gap of nearly a hundred years, so at first I really found it hard to understand," he said.
Zhou gave an example: Wang decided to go abroad to study art just because of a single sentence from his teacher, and then returned to serve his motherland without the slightest hesitation. "As a person living today, you might have some concerns and want to hear other people's opinions, but he didn't," Zhou said. "That is Wang—he is very simple and pure."
A brief intersection of two similar souls
Actress Megan Lai plays the role of Shao Hua, a female writer (based on Sanmao), in The Story of Wang Luobin. She steps outside the conventional stage narrative rhythm and, as a companion to the elderly Wang Luobin, becomes a unique and agile presence in the play.
Speaking of her connection with the Troupe and The Story of Wang Luobin, Lai said the day she received the script was her birthday. "It was the best birthday gift of 2025 for me. After reading the first scene, I immediately told my agent, 'I have to do it.'" She also hopes to bring the passion and excitement she felt when she first read the script to the audience who come to the theater.
"Shao Hua and Wang are soulmates—two very similar souls. They are like two lines that briefly intersect, then go off to faraway places, but they will still cross again." This is how Lai defines the relationship between the two characters. She explained that although they live in different generations, both encounter misunderstanding, dislike, and even blows in their own lives. Outsiders might explore or speculate about their relationship out of curiosity, "but they still love this world, and because of their own insignificance, they still praise the greatness of this world."
In Wang's stage of life, there is the Russian vocal teacher who guided him to study art and know himself; there is Luo Shan, who stayed briefly like a little bird... In this nearly three‑hour drama, the unwavering love for life and persistent dedication to art that Wang, the "King of Western Folk Songs," maintained through all the rises and falls of his life.
The Story of Wang Luobin can be a comedy, yet it also contains the core of tragedy. It has laughter, tears, and sharp edges. Its multitude of flavors can only be found in the heart of each spectator.
(Reporter: Kelly Yang; Cameraperson & Video Editor: Julianne; Editor: Kelly Yang; English Editor: Darius)
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