The theatre troupe was about to celebrate its 30th anniversary, and the re-staging of the original musical Serenade would have been the perfect idea for the gala celebration. However, the sudden outbreak and protracted COVID-19 epidemic completely disrupted the organizers’ onsite rehearsal plan. The instructor and troupe members took the opportunity to work proactively amidst the crisis by kicking off online vocal training and rehearsals as an alternative while embarking on the arduous journey of reviving the musical Serenade.
It is often said that theatre is a mirror of real life and life is reflected in drama. The reality experienced by the troupe in the time and space of the epidemic turned out to be exactly the same as the storyline within the musical drama performed on stage 20 years ago. At one point, the troupe was trapped in a fog of confusion. Thanks to new and old members alike who—like angels in pure pursuit of art—resolutely upheld artistic concepts and promoted righteousness at different levels, the fog surrounding the troupe gradually dissipated. Things were set right again, and the team became more cohesive than ever before.
When the pandemic was finally declared over, the musical was officially staged. Looking back at the troupe’s 30-year history, especially the difficult and bumpy journey of reviving Serenade during the three years of the pandemic, people were truly touched and overwhelmed. During life’s long journey, how lucky are we to have mentors and friends, how precious are those people who accompany us through the long and dark nights, and how enriching is a life with artistic pursuits. It is just as the German poet Heinrich Heine articulated in his poem: “Heart, My Heart, do not worry and endure your fate. A new spring gives back what the winter took from you. And how much you have left and how beautiful the world is!” The hand of fate is unpredictable, but the troupe never gave up, and this journey of perseverance and fortitude in the pursuit of art during the pandemic will surely become an eternal memory.
