The Peasant Prince: the play

Based on the book by Li Cunxin

Li Cunxin, Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge, Tim McGarry

• Publisher: Currency Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781760622176
• Topic: Littérature
• Subtopic: Théâtre

This extraordinary play for young people is an adaptation of Li Cunxin's picture book The Peasant Prince - the true story of Mao's Last Dancer.Adapted by Monkey Baa, Australia's leading theatre company for young audiences, The Peasant Prince has toured nationally, performing to tens of thousands of young people and their families throughout rural and regional Australia.The production was awarded Most Outstanding Production for Children (the Glugs), Best Production for Children (Sydney Theatre Awards) and a Drover's Award for Best Touring Production (Australian Performing Arts and Producers Awards).Li, a 10-year-old boy, is plucked from his village in rural China and sent to a ballet academy in the big city. He leaves everything and everyone he loves, including his family. Over years of gruelling training, he transforms from an impoverished peasant to a giant of the international dance scene. What does he find along the way?The Peasant Prince is a remarkable true story of courage, resilience and unwavering hope.'A poignant gem' Sydney Arts Guide'Vital, exuberant, aspirational, and inspirational' Australian Stage'Monkey Baa Theatre Company has created another wonderful work for children' Broadway World

Chairman Mao’s image is on a screen at the back of the stage as the audience enters.

Prologue

Houston, Texas.

We hear the foyer bells and the orchestra warming up, indicating a show is about to begin. LI CUNXIN is in position, ready.

We hear a voiceover making the audience announcement: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, in tonight’s performance of Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the role of the Prince will be danced by Li Cunxin.’

The STAGE MANAGER enters, talking into a cordless radio microphone pack.

STAGE MANAGER: I’m still waiting for clearance. Li, your parents have finally arrived.

CUNXIN: Where are they sitting?

STAGE MANAGER: [on the mic] Where are they seated? The parents? [To CUNXIN] Front row centre.

CUNXIN: I haven’t seen my Niang and my Dia in six years.

STAGE MANAGER: They’ll be so proud. Li, we have Front of House clearance, are you ready? You are the Prince. [On the mic] Ladies and gentlemen of the company, please stand by.

The STAGE MANAGER exits.

We hear the opening bars of ‘The Nutcracker Suite’.

We transition into CUNXIN’s memory. We hear children from his classroom singing and the echo of NIANG and DIA’s voices from the past. NIANG and DIA appear.

NIANG: Bie hwai to. Bu yao yong yuen two yi ge no ming. Don’t look back. Become someone other than a peasant boy.

DIA: Gang so dao feng le ma, Cunxin. Feel the current of the wind, Cunxin.

NIANG: I know you have your secret dreams. Follow them.

DIA: Like a bird, go with the current of the wind.

NIANG: Jio zwai swag le ta men. Follow them … Follow them.

We hear the flapping of a kite.

Scene One

On the fields of Shandong Province. Winter.

CUNXIN flies the kite as DIA looks on. NIANG is observing her husband and son as she folds a blanket.

CUNXIN: Dia, look! Look how high it’s flying.

DIA: Keep moving, Cunxin, keep your arms moving … That’s it, son. Keep moving.

We hear the wind getting stronger. CUNXIN begins to lose control of the kite.

Pull to the right, no Cunxin, more to the right.

CUNXIN: Dia, Dia … no …

The kite crashes in the field. CUNXIN runs to the broken kite. He is distraught.

Dia, it’s broken.

DIA: You need to feel the current of the wind, Cunxin, like a bird, go with the current of the wind.

CUNXIN: Can you fix it?

DIA: I’ve got my work to do. I’ll fix it later.

CUNXIN: Can you fix it now? Please Dia? Please?

DIA reluctantly begins to fix the kite.

DIA: Give me the kite.

CUNXIN: Thank you, Dia. Can you tell me a story?

DIA: Now you’re asking for too much.

CUNXIN: Please?

DIA: I’ve told you all the stories I have.

CUNXIN: Once upon a time, there was a frog that lived in a deep, dark well.

CUNXIN hops around his DIA, trying to encourage him to tell the story.

D...