China Children’s Art New Play -Yangtze River Goddess, Will You Be My Dad– 》The premiere focuses on love and life

On the evening of October 19, a fairy tale drama titled “Goddess of the Yangtze River, Would You Be My Dad?” premiered at the China Children’s Art Theater. Starring the “Goddess of the Yangtze”—the Baiji dolphin—and the “Smiling Angel”—the Yangtze river dolphin—the performance invited the audience to explore the enchanting world of various adorable creatures inhabiting the Yangtze River basin, all while pondering the meaning of life.

The play employs a unique narrative angle, featuring “Big Bai,” the soul of a Baiji dolphin who has been preserved as a specimen and lived alone in a gallery for 50 years. Encountering the spirit of a Yangtze dolphin who died before birth yet remains curious about the world, their interaction gradually unfolds a vibrant tapestry of life in the Yangtze River. Through their shared moments of happiness, beauty, and unforgettable experiences, the audience grows to understand the importance of protecting nature and respecting all forms of life.

Set against the backdrop of “Yangtze River Conservation,” the drama expresses itself through elements of romanticism and surrealism. According to the playwright and director Ma Yanwei, the more beautiful and heartwarming the story, the more the audience feels a sense of loss. He hopes to provoke thought with this contrasting approach: “How should we coexist with other species on our planet? Earth is our shared home, and we are all children of this world. Just as human lives should be rich and colorful, so too should animal lives. They have their own lives, families, and friends. Animals are not so different from us. Let’s share in their joys and sorrows.”

While the story of “Goddess of the Yangtze River, Would You Be My Dad?” is undeniably romantic, the integration of scientific knowledge and references to classical poetry in the performance serves to impress the audience with how knowledge can “unexpectedly enter our minds.” Upon entering the theater, the first sight to captivate the audience is the large display cabinet on stage. Set designer Shen Ao utilized a series of rectangular frames and a black-cut curtain structure, along with multimedia elements, to instantly transport spectators to a “museum.” As the plot unfolds, vivid facts about Baiji and Yangtze dolphins come to life.

A notable highlight of the show occurs when, through Big Bai’s narration, various aquatic creatures appear on stage like puppets. Species such as the Chinese sturgeon, Yangtze sturgeon, white sturgeon, and others are portrayed through a careful blend of biomimetic designs that embody both individuality and a sense of transparency, reminiscent of sunlight reflecting off water. This lively representation allows the audience to gain a more direct understanding of the diverse wildlife in the Yangtze River, providing an engaging educational experience. The thoughtful design of the puppets by Cao Tingting adds an ethereal and subtly melancholic romantic flair to the aquatic characters.

Undoubtedly, the most moving aspect of the play is the deep emotional connection between the characters. The moment when the Yangtze dolphin first asks Big Bai, “Would you be my dad?” and initially receives a rejection, evolves into a poignant embrace toward the end when Big Bai, now accepting, replies, “I would.” This emotional transformation touches the hearts of the audience.

Following the premiere, Feng Li, the director of the China Children’s Art Theater, took the stage to engage with the audience. “We believe that after watching this production, children will feel more love and compassion, cultivating a respect for life on our planet,” she said. “This will make our world a better place, and each individual will also grow from this love and compassion.”

“Goddess of the Yangtze River, Would You Be My Dad?” will continue to be performed at the China Children’s Art Theater until November 3. Additionally, it will have an online premiere on October 24, coinciding with the “International Freshwater Dolphin Day” and “Yangtze River Dolphin Conservation Day.”