On April 15th, the original musical Canton Fair made its debut at the Friendship Theatre. The day happened to be the opening of the 133rd China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair. This timely musical was spectacular, with the creators and audience writing a chapter of the Canton Fair's glorious history that has been filled with love for 66 years.

Canton Fair tells a love story that spans 66 years, reflecting the era through small details. This play embodies the high-quality development of Guangdong's literary and artistic culture. From creation to production and performance, it showcases the new atmosphere and new situation of Guangdong's cultural development.

Small details reflect the big picture of the times

"Canton Fair" portrays the changes and developments of the Canton Fair over the past 66 years. In 1957, Isabella (played by Pan Qi) and Qiao Cheng (played by Wang Bowen), two young people who were originally thousands of miles apart, met and fell in love at the first Canton Fair. A gambiered Canton gauze scarf connected their emotions. However, due to various circumstances, they lost touch with each other. They silently held on to their love for 66 years. Finally, at the 2023 Spring Fair, the two old lovers were able to reunite.

The play is based on the Canton Fair, and features various Lingnan local cultural elements, such as Cantonese opera, Cantonese cuisine, and gambiered Canton gauze. From the perspectives of love, family, and friendship, it presents the Canton Fair as a place where the merchants gather, honesty is valued, and love moves mountains.

Composer Du Ming created 32 songs for the musical. He said that the music created for the drama has successfully achieved the same level as international standards. "The musical includes local music elements such as The Peddler, folk music that young people enjoy, as well as symphony and electronic music. Canton Fair is a reflection of Guangdong's strength in literary and artistic creation and performance," said Du Ming.

Guangfu culture is full of vitality and liveliness

The screenwriter Yan Bing has been contemplating how to integrate Cantonese culture into the musical. He found a focal point - showcasing the life of the people of Guangzhou. He believes that the daily lives of Guangzhou people are Cantonese culture itself. "I don't have to work hard to integrate culture into the play, it grows on this land. In the play, the actors' laughter, speech, breakfast, lunch, and supper, as well as the living scenes, are full of the vitality and liveliness of Cantonese culture."

Yan Bing also mentioned the prop that runs through the entire play - the gambiered Canton gauze scarf. "It is not only the love token of the male and female protagonists but also the intangible cultural heritage of Shunde, Guangdong. It is a highlight of Guangdong culture, symbolizing the unique commitment and love that Guangdong brings to the world."

Yan Bing also wants to convey the passion and inclusiveness of Guangdong culture to audiences at home and abroad through the play. "As the saying goes, the Canton Fair is all about love! The platform of it makes all people feel at home. Therefore, I hope that through the promise given by the male and female protagonists, we can express to guests from home and abroad that they are not just coming to Guangzhou but returning to Guangzhou. Thus, when they leave, they may say, 'I will come back.' Then, we, the people of Guangzhou and the Canton Fair, will say, 'I will be waiting for you here.'"

原创音乐剧《广交天下》成功首演
广交天下都是爱

4月15日，原创音乐剧《广交天下》登陆友谊剧院。当天恰逢第133届中国进出口商品交易会（简称“广交会”）开幕，这一应景之作精彩纷呈，全场座无虚席，主创与观众共同写就了一篇跨越66年、被爱填满的广交会盛世华章。

《广交天下》围绕广交会讲述了一段跨越66年的爱情故事，以小切口反映大时代。该剧是广东文艺高质量发展的重要体现，从创作、制作到演出，都展现了广东文化强省建设的新气象、新态势。

小切口反映大时代

《广交天下》描绘了广交会66年来的世事变迁：1957年，两个原本相隔万里的年轻人伊莎贝拉（潘琪饰）和乔诚（王博文饰），在首届广交会上相知、相爱，一条香云纱丝巾连接起两人内心的情感。但阴错阳差，两人断了音信。为了坚守那份情缘，他们默默相守66年。终于，2023年春交会举行，两位相望一生的老人得以“重逢”。

《广交天下》将广交会作为故事“主舞台”，以粤剧、粤菜、香云纱等多元岭南本土文化元素为底色，以爱情、亲情、友情为主要切口，表现广交天下、万商云集、以诚为本、以爱动天的豪情。

作曲杜鸣为《广交天下》创作了32首歌曲。他表示，该剧的音乐创作真正实现了与国际接轨：“其中，有《卖货郎》等本土音乐元素运用，有年轻人喜欢的民谣，也有对于交响乐、电声乐队的运用。《广交天下》是广东在文艺创作、表演方面硬实力的体现。”

广府文化充满烟火气

编剧闫兵曾思考如何将广府文化融入《广交天下》。最终，他找到了落点——呈现广州人的生活。他认为，广州人的生活本身就是广府文化：“我不用费尽力气将文化融入剧中，它就长在这片土地上。剧中，演员的笑声、说话声，早饭、午饭、夜宵，生活场景就是充满烟火气的广府文化。”

他还提到了贯穿全剧始终的道具——香云纱，“它不仅是男女主角的爱情信物，也是广东顺德的非物质文化遗产。它是广东文化的一大亮点，象征了广东给世界带来的独一无二的承诺和爱。”

闫兵还想通过该剧向海内外观众传达广东文化的热情与包容：“所谓，广交天下都是爱！广交会的平台永远像对待亲人一样对待所有朋友，所以，我希望通过《广交天下》的男女主角给对方的承诺，表达海内外的宾客朋友不是来广州，而是回到广州。他们离开的时候会说‘我还会再来’，于是，我们广州人、广交会人会说‘我会在这里一直等着你’。”

文丨羊城晚报全媒体记者龚卫锋
图丨羊城晚报全媒体记者贺全胜
实习生丨林健
翻译丨刘佳慧