LEGENDS OF THE SOUTHERN ARCH by The Theatre Practice

“The Curse of Invincibility is Solitude”

Reviewer: Isaac Lim
Performance: 28 March 2015

The mythical world of Wuxia heroes, holding swords and flying through the air, is often seen in Chinese movies. Probably for the first time, we see it on the Singapore stage. The Theatre Practice courageously presents Legends of the Southern Arch at the Drama Centre Theatre: a valiant attempt to bring the Wuxia world “live”.

Legends is certainly a most exciting battle. Gathering more than a dozen actors from the local Mandarin theatre scene, the stage is poised for a series of acting show-downs.

Written by Liu Xiaoyi, Legends centers on two rival sects in their fight at the Nantian Arch, in a bid to rule the world. The challenge happens once in sixty years, and the show travels back and forth in time to tell of the stories between three generations of members of the sects. There is romantic love, familial tie, violence and bloodshed.

Liu also stars as the lead Shi Buqiong, making one wonder if there is any narcissism or nepotism involved. Newcomer Jodi Chan shines as the co-lead Wu Qiaoer, the daughter of Wu Duya (Li Xie) and Nangong Xian (Nelson Chia), who finds out the true identity of her father mid-way through the show. In true  Wuxia melodrama fashion, she kills him.

The show is peppered with many scenes of acrobatics and swordfights, choreographed by Gordon Choy. This is complemented by exciting sound effects designed by Sandra Tay. The flaw is in the execution: it requires better precision to match the action on stage. Several stunning sets and set pieces, designed by Wong Chee Wai, accompanied by lighting designed by Dorothy Png, created a beautiful stage for the battles.

The plot structure, with its open time and space concept, is rather weak and confusing. The many side characters added little to enhance the narrative. While this reviewer applauds Liu for his creativity in coming out with an interesting range of medicines, poisons, secret manuals, weapons and martial art forms, these ‘names’ are never fully explored or explained (except in the programme book).

Legends also featured theatre veterans like Goh Guat Kian (as the sometime comedic Dongfang Xie), Johnny Ng (as Muzi Wudi, the reigning leader and main villian) and radio and television veteran Marcus Chin (as Chen Zhaoxue). Credits should also be given to the strong performances by the supporting casts like Hang Qian Chou (as Yanmen Tuo of the Nan Tian sect), Hung Chit Wah (as Lao Yiyi) and Ric Liu (as Kong Xiaoer).

The world of Legends unfortunately has its biggest pitfall in its spoken mandarin. While most of the cast spoke the language fluently, there were several who struggled with localized accents, tore apart the make believe world.

Overall, director Kuo Jian Hong has managed to pull together an impressive team to create a show that is unique and memorable. It is an epic production with an outstanding cast and production team worthy of the 50^th Anniversary of The Theatre Practice.