“Don Juan”: A French Musical Sings Its Way to China
The hallowed halls of French musical theater have gifted the world with productions like “Don Juan,” “Mozart, l’Opéra Rock,” and “Notre-Dame de Paris,” affectionately known as the “Three Treasures.” While the latter two have graced Chinese stages, “Don Juan,” after 20 years, has finally embarked on its China tour. The recent debut at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing marks a significant moment, as the musical revisits the timeless theme of love, but with a twist.
Don Juan, the ultimate playboy, is a staple in literature, drama, music, and film. Known for his amorous nature and fleeting affections, the musical ventures into uncharted territory: Don Juan encounters “true love” in the form of Maria, a female sculptor. This romantic twist transforms the legendary libertine into a novice, a “primary school student” in love, carefully nurturing his newfound relationship and willing to duel for Maria’s honor. In a pivotal moment during the duel, a flashback to his past leaves him vulnerable, leading to his tragic demise at the hands of Maria’s fiancé.
A reformed rogue, fated to die for love, becomes a potent symbol of either a past curse come to fruition, or a cruel twist of fate. “Don Juan” distinguishes itself here, creating two distinct portrayals of the character, before and after Maria’s arrival.
The Two Sides of a Seducer
The initial portrayal of Don Juan is pure unadulterated promiscuity, a sentiment amplified by the musical style of the first act. French musicals are known for their “sung-through” format and “Don Juan” features an impressive 38 songs. Yet, rather unexpectedly, the first half of the musical plunges headfirst into the vibrant world of Spanish flamenco, a bold move showcasing the story’s setting and the protagonist’s earlier exploits. The dancers, hailing from Spain, showcased astounding skill, amplified by Gian Marco Schiaretti’s embodiment of the titular character, his performance oozed raw sensuality.
Love’s Power and the Echoes of Loneliness
The play’s evolution is marked by Maria’s appearance, introducing a new musical style that is prevalent throughout the show’s latter half… Notably, the songs during this period become more lyrical as “Change,” a powerful anthem about transformation underscores Don Juan’s development and illustrates the power of love with its grand structure,. Then there is “Solitude,” a revealing track expresses a deep understanding of one’s self and of life in general from someone who has experience every love that there is.
A Confluence of Styles and an Emphasis on Emotion
Compared to its contemporaries, “Don Juan” strikes a different chord with its eclectic fusion of musical styles attributed to its “Spanish IP.” The composer interweaves the romantic sensibilities of France with the exotic allure of Spain, resulting in an engrossing stage experience. This diversity ensures that audiences always have something new to discover.
“Don Juan” shares the same weakness of looseness in narration that other French musicals do. For all its beauty, the story can feel a little disjointed. The pacing is off at times, and character development can feel rushed when it might benefit from being built up slowly.
However, this quirk has become a defining characteristic of French Musicals: plot gives way to the overwhelming spectacle of musical theater! Passion and melody come together to triumph of rationality, in which lies the soul of the French. Through some sort of magic, these musicals have bewitched their viewers in such a way that convolution does not matter, but only good musi