Al borde del agua (Water Margin)

For Patrick Sommier, there was one guiding idea behind this project - that of changing the image of this legendary theatre which was commonly thought of as an exotic museum. How does a Chinese actor train? How can that actor and that theatre be discovered by a public which knows nothing of the rules and norms of Chinese opera? The Beijing opera, one of the greatest exponents of Chinese culture, in which dance, song, pantomime, acrobatics and martial arts are accompanied by percussion and string music, began in the middle of the 19th century although its roots go back much further to the Qin Dynasty in around 220BC. In the 10th century the masks worn by the performers were substituted by sophisticated makeup. When an actor or actress from the Beijing Opera makes up, he or she does so with the same delight with which a painter applies brushstrokes to a canvas. The finished work means that that face will be unmistakable amidst the hundreds of parts being played.

The story of the Water Margin is inspired by the revolt against the central power of the Sung Dynasty at the end of the 11th century. It is considered one of the best novels detailing the exploits of Chinese knights ever written. Its origins and its growing popularity are reflected in the Chinese people and their aspirations. The text highlights the special kind of bond and loyalty between men, values that closely resemble popular traditional ideals.

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