New reality show to groom participants into versatile actors

　　A media conference on June 5 marked the launch of a reality show, The Twelve Revels in Jiangnan, which is set to become a study-oriented reality show centered on actor training and cultural learning.

　　The reality show is initiated by Beijing-based theater company Magnificent Culture and will be set in Wujiang district, Suzhou, Jiangsu province, a region lying beside the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and boasting the cultural depth of Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River).

　　All episodes will center around 12 historical figures linked to the Jiangnan area, such as politician and writer Fan Zhongyan, poet and artist Su Shi, and traditional opera artist Shen Jing.

　　Reality show The Twelve Revels in Jiangnan hosted a media conference on June 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

　　The program features 24 young people aged between 18 and 32, selected from 1,522 applicants worldwide. The participants made their public debut at the conference. In the upcoming filming process, they will embody the spirit and ideals of the historical figures through theatrical performance and an immersive learning experience guided by professionals.

　　Actress Zhang Kaili serves as the show's chief planner, and along with Taiwan actor Winston Chao, TV presenter Xu Li and a group of experts in other fields, will mentor the participants through intensive training, in areas ranging from acting, traditional culture to psychology and law, aiming to cultivate young actors with well-rounded qualities.

　　Reality show The Twelve Revels in Jiangnan hosted a media conference on June 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

　　"We were choosing those who aspire to become good actors. Having good looks wasn't the only standard. Each of our participants was chosen from the public, and through learning and cultivation, we hope they'll become actors who truly represent the people," Zhang says.

　　Jointly produced by Magnificent Culture, ticketing platform Damai's theater brand Mailive, video streaming platform Youku, and Wujiang Culture and Tourism Group, the reality show will begin filming in late June and will air in September on Youku and Zhejiang TV. Young actors with outstanding performance in the show will be selected to participate in an eponymous large-scale stage production, scheduled to premiere at the end of the year.

　　Reality show The Twelve Revels in Jiangnan hosted a media conference on June 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]