In the upcoming theatrical adaptation of renowned writer Pai Hsien-yung’s popular novel Crystal Boys (Niezi, or “sons of sin” in Chinese), director Tsao Jui-yuan has invited the well-known Taiwanese gezaixi opera singer Tang Mei-yun to play the important role of Yang Chin-hai (Mob Boss Yang), which in the theatrical version transforms the elderly homosexual man into a gay female mob boss-like character.
Tang says that this is her first time to play the role of a gay woman. “In the play, I’m a totally different sort of woman. I exhibit motherly love and am willing to protect these youths, so it really becomes an alternative sort of family that has more diversity.” Back in the days when her father performed gezaixi on outdoor stages, there were always women playing gender-neutral roles, she says. “They were precisely the sort of role I’m playing now, with my hair slicked back, wearing a suit, but my father always told me to call those women ‘auntie’ so they would give me gifts.” This image and memory gradually resurfaces in her mind during every rehearsal.
Pai also says that he supports gay marriage and does not beat around the bush about it either, “Homosexuality is a part of humanity. People are striving to have this fact recognized, and if it is finally recognized it means that this country admits that heterosexuals and homosexuals are equal.”
Photo courtesy of Formosa Television
照片由民間民視公司提供
How do you give audiences a novel theatrical experience of Crystal Boys? Tsao says that Pai’s original novel is profoundly meaningful and worth reading repeatedly. Pai says that this theatrical version of Crystal Boys is the second time that the novel has been adapted. “I have the easiest job on the entire team,” Pai says. Apart from Tang being a major source of attraction, Golden Bell Awards winner Ting Chiang, veteran actors Samantha Ko and Fan Kuang-yao, along with renowned idol-actors Mo Tzu-yi and Matt Wu will also be joined by a dance troupe consisting of 17 male dancers, who serve as a key part of the performance and are meant to bring out the joys and tribulations of young homosexual boys trapped in the darkness of an unaccepting society.
The stage adaptation of Crystal Boys will be performed at the National Theater from Feb. 7 to Feb. 16 next year.
(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)
將知名作家白先勇同志經典小說《孽子》搬上舞台劇，導演曹瑞原邀約歌仔戲小生唐美雲詮釋原著中重要人物楊金海（楊教頭），在劇中，這個角色從一位老同性戀變成了大姊頭般的女同性戀者。
Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者陳奕全
唐美雲說，這是她第一次出飾女同性戀，「戲中我是另外一種女性，有母愛，願意庇護這些小青春鳥，這不正是另外一種多元成家。」唐美雲表示，在她父親演出歌仔外台戲的年代，都會有一些打扮中性的女性，「就是我今天這身打扮，梳油頭，穿西裝，但我父親都教我喊阿姑，喊了才有紅包可以拿。」這個記憶，逐漸回到唐美雲每次的排戲之中，成了內在的形象。
白先勇也說支持同性婚姻，白先勇毫不避諱，「同性戀也是人性的一部分，爭取同志的人性被承認，如果承認，這才表示這個國家承認異性戀、同性戀都平等。」
要如何給觀眾全新的《孽子》舞台印象，曹瑞原說，白老師的原著就充滿深意，值得一再觸碰，白先勇則說，《孽子》舞台劇版已經是二度詮釋，「我是這團隊角色中最輕鬆的一位。」這次除了唐美雲是爆點之外，金鐘影帝丁強、影后柯淑勤、影帝樊光耀；還有實力派偶像演員莫子儀和吳中天，十七位焦點舞團男舞者則將帶來隱身於黑暗王國青春鳥群的悲歡年華。
舞台劇《孽子》明年二月七日起演出，直到二月十六日。地點在國家劇院。
（自由時報記者趙靜瑜）
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain-signaling that causes people to behave, communicate, interact and learn in atypical ways. Autism diagnoses in the US have increased significantly since 2000, intensifying public concern over what might contribute to its prevalence. Here is what you need to know. HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED? There are no objective tools for diagnosing autism, such as blood tests or brain scans. Instead, diagnoses are made based on observations and interviews. The term “spectrum” reflects the wide range of possible manifestations. Some people with ASD might have good conversation skills, while others might
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
RSS