Musical gets into the zone of creativity

In the musical, the lead role is named Luo Qiulai, a factory worker who befriends the artists. Luo is intrigued by their work, although he knows nothing about contemporary art. When the factory is threatened with demolition, Luo becomes its guardian and with the artists, protects the old buildings.

One of the other characters, the head of the factory, is against the idea of keeping the factory because he hopes to redevelop it, to create new job opportunities for his workers. He is also in conflict with Luo because his daughter is in love with the factory's new protector.

Wang Dezhi plays the role of the factory head. The 40-year-old, who graduated from the Capital Normal University, joined Xiao Ke when the theater opened.

"I have performed many different roles in Xiao Ke's musicals. They are vivid and come from real life. For the factory boss, I am still trying to find the right approach. He is a boss, willing to devote his life to the factory and also a father, who loves his daughter. He is caught in a dilemma," says Wang.

"The core of the story is about people. Luo is overwhelmed by the power of contemporary art and is an ordinary worker. The boss loves the factory and tries to prevent his workers from losing their jobs. And the artists change the fate of the almost abandoned factory," says Xiao Ke.

He wrote the show's 10 songs, which range in style from hip-hop and jazz, to funk and pop, in a month. He has also incorporated elements of Peking Opera, such as the sounds produced by percussions, in the musical.

"This is not only because I am a Beijinger and the 798 Art Zone is in Beijing, but also because Peking Opera sounds conjure up images of steel, which is powerful and solid, and fitting to the factory scenes presented onstage," he adds.

The musical is choreographed by Cameroonian national Abbe Simon, who has carefully matched the dance moves to drum beats.

Xiao Ke first visited Dashanzi in the early 2000s and was impressed by its architecture and art community, which was then just taking shape.