Prize-winning novel-adapted musical on show
A poster for the upcoming Chinese musical The Message, adapted from Mai Jia's best-selling World War II spy thriller novel of the same title. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Message, a new musical adaptation of Mai Jia's Mao Dun Literature Prize-winning novel of the same title, will be premiered at Shanghai West Bund Grand Theatre on Sept 26.
The first round of shows will take place through Oct 21, with tickets for the first 16 shows, scheduled between Sept 26 and Oct 8, sold out in one hour after the box office opening on Aug 1.
The Message is a best-selling novel published in 2007 and winner of a series of national literature awards, including the Mao Dun Literature Prize, the highest accolade for novels in China.
Ayanga, producer, composer and music supervisor of the musical, speaks at the box office opening of the musical at West Bund Grand Theatre in Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
One of the most translated Chinese novels of our time, The Message is a World War II spy thriller about five code-breakers who were gathered in the mountains, trying to find out who among them was a double agent.
"As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War this year, the musical set in the historical background of the war is a letter of tribute for the heroes," according to Ayanga, producer, composer and music supervisor of the show.