Mo Yan, the renowned Chinese novelist and Nobel laureate, has fulfilled his long-standing ambition to transition from novelist to playwright with the release of his latest drama, “Crocodile”. The play, published by “KEY-Can Culture” of Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House, marks a significant milestone in Mo Yan’s career.
“Crocodile” is divided into four acts and nine scenes, showcasing Mo Yan’s signature magical storytelling style. The plot revolves around the protagonist Shan Wuji and the mysterious gift of a crocodile he receives at his birthday party. As the crocodile grows, it becomes a symbol of human desires and the complexity of human nature.
The play takes place over a span of ten years, with various characters entering Wuji’s life and adding to the ambivalence surrounding the crocodile. Wuji’s ex-wife Qiaoling competes with her lover Shouma for ownership of Wuji’s villa, while Wuzhang, a close friend, becomes increasingly attached to the crocodile, believing it to be the only one who understands his true feelings.
Critics have praised “Crocodile” for its surreal content and exploration of human desires. Scholar Chen Sihe describes the growing crocodile as a symbol, while writer Li Er reflects on the play’s central question: “How should we treat the crocodile within us?”
Mo Yan’s passion for drama is not new. His unpublished debut novel, “Divorce”, was originally written as a drama script, and he has previously written award-winning plays such as “Our Jing Ke”. Additionally, Mo Yan has ventured into film and television scripts, as well as opera scripts.
In an interview, Mo Yan expressed his joy in seeing his work performed on stage, stating, “It is really enjoyable for a playwright to sit in a theater and watch his own repertoire performed.” With the release of “Crocodile”, Mo Yan’s dream of becoming a successful playwright has become a reality.
The publication of “Crocodile” has generated excitement among fans and theater enthusiasts alike. The play promises to captivate audiences with its magical storytelling and exploration of human nature. As Mo Yan continues to expand his creative horizons, his transition from novelist to playwright marks a new chapter in his illustrious career.Mo Yan Transitions from Novelist to Playwright with Release of Latest Drama “Crocodile”
Renowned Chinese author Mo Yan has fulfilled his vow to transition from novelist to playwright with the release of his latest drama, “Crocodile.” The play, published by “KEY-Can Culture” of Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House, marks a significant milestone in Mo Yan’s career as he ventures into the world of theater.
Mo Yan’s ambition to devote himself to drama creation was first expressed during a visit to Shakespeare’s former residence in 2019. Accompanied by fellow writers Yu Hua and Su Tong, Mo Yan stood in front of the statue of Shakespeare and shared his desire to pursue playwriting in the future.
Ten years after winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, Mo Yan’s dream has finally come to fruition. “Crocodile,” like his novels, is divided into four acts and nine scenes, showcasing the author’s signature touch of magic and surrealism.
The plot revolves around the protagonist Shan Wuji and the mysterious gift of a crocodile he receives at his birthday party. As the crocodile is given more space, it grows exponentially, becoming a symbol of human desires. Over the course of ten years, various characters enter Wuji’s life, intensifying the ambivalence and leading to unexpected twists and turns.
Scholars and writers have praised “Crocodile” for its exploration of the complexity of human nature. Chen Sihe, a prominent scholar, sees the growing crocodile as a metaphor for human desires, while writer Li Er reflects on the question of how one should treat the metaphorical crocodile within themselves.
Mo Yan’s passion for drama is not new. His unpublished debut novel, “Divorce,” was originally written as a drama script. He has also written award-winning plays such as “Our Jing Ke” and has ventured into film, television, and opera scripts. For Mo Yan, seeing his work performed on stage is a truly enjoyable experience.
The release of “Crocodile” is a significant milestone in Mo Yan’s career, solidifying his transition from a celebrated novelist to a respected dramatist. With his unique storytelling style and imaginative narratives, Mo Yan continues to captivate audiences across different literary genres.
Source: City Express
Author: Reporter Pan Zhuoying
Correspondent: Yi Xiaoqi, Sui Jingjing
Editor: Chen Junnan
What is the central metaphor that the play “Crocodile” presents and how does it relate to human desires?
Has finally come to fruition with the publication of “Crocodile”. Divided into four acts and nine scenes, the play showcases Mo Yan’s distinctive and magical storytelling style. The plot revolves around the protagonist Shan Wuji and the enigmatic gift of a crocodile that he receives at his birthday party. As the crocodile grows, it becomes a symbol of human desires and the complexities of human nature.
Set over a span of ten years, “Crocodile” introduces various characters who enter Wuji’s life, adding to the intrigue surrounding the crocodile. Wuji’s ex-wife Qiaoling competes with her lover Shouma for ownership of Wuji’s villa, while Wuzhang, a close friend, develops a deep attachment to the crocodile, believing it to be the only one who truly understands his emotions.
Critics have acclaimed “Crocodile” for its surreal content and exploration of human desires. Scholar Chen Sihe interprets the growing crocodile as a metaphor, while writer Li Er ponders the play’s central question: “How should we confront the crocodile within us?”
Mo Yan’s passion for drama is not a recent development. His unpublished debut novel, “Divorce,” was originally written as a script for a play, and he has previously written award-winning plays such as “Our Jing Ke.” Mo Yan has also ventured into scriptwriting for film, television, and opera.
In an interview, Mo Yan expressed his joy and satisfaction in seeing his work performed on stage, stating, “It is truly gratifying for a playwright to sit in a theater and witness the performance of their own work.” With the release of “Crocodile,” Mo Yan’s dream of becoming a successful playwright has finally become a reality.
The publication of “Crocodile” has sparked excitement among fans and theater enthusiasts alike. The play promises to captivate audiences with its enchanting storytelling and exploration of the intricacies of human nature. As Mo Yan continues to push the boundaries of his creativity and expand his artistic horizons, his transition from novelist to playwright marks a thrilling new chapter in his celebrated career.
Mo Yan’s talent knows no bounds! From captivating novels to engaging plays, his transition to playwright only solidifies his position as a master storyteller. Can’t wait to witness the magic unfold on stage.