'The Song of Youth' sings once again

A fresh musical adaptation of this 1958 'red classic' set to premiere in Beijing in October, Chen Nan reports.

More than six decades after Yang Mo's iconic novel The Song of Youth captured the hearts and minds of a generation, its spirited protagonist, Lin Daojing, returns in a bold, new form.

A fresh musical adaptation of this 1958 literary classic is set to premiere at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center from Oct 3 to 5, it was announced on July 31. It promises to reignite the story's powerful themes of love, conviction, and personal awakening, set against the backdrop of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Jia Ding, the director and scriptwriter of the musical, says: "The Song of Youth influenced our parents' generation. Through this musical, I hope today's youth can experience that generation's spirit and emotions.

"This musical will not only serve as a bridge for communication between today's youth and their parents, but also help young people realize that they share common ground and language with their parents. At its core, this musical is about one word — choice. It's a question every generation must face," he adds.

Considered a "red classic", a genre celebrating revolutionary culture and heroes, the novel by Yang Mo (1914-95) captures the turbulent historical landscape of the 1930s through the personal and ideological evolution of a young woman, Lin Daojing.

Born into a privileged landlord family, Lin rejects the path laid out for her, determined not to serve her family's interests. Rejecting an arranged marriage to a powerful government official, Lin chooses her own path despite losing her teaching job and struggling to establish a career.

At its heart, the story is a romance. Lin's life is deeply shaped by the men she encounters along the way, such as Yu Yongze, who saves her from despair when she is on the brink of suicide, and Lu Jiachuan, a student revolutionary who introduces her to socialist struggles. The author intertwines themes of love and personal growth with the larger social struggles of 1930s China, portraying intimate emotional moments against the backdrop of a nation in crisis.

In 1959, The Song of Youth was adapted into a black-and-white Chinese film, gaining widespread popularity.

"Is it a peaceful life, the pursuit of wealth and status, or commitment to one's ideals? The choices Lin Daojing faces are the same decisions today's youth must confront. In the musical, she makes her choice — and I hope the audience finds their own answers too," Jia Ding says.

Jia Ding, 64, whose real name is Wu Jiading, is a renowned director known for his work on national galas. Since 2021, he has created Chinese musicals that highlight nostalgic stories and "red classics".

In 2021, to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, he directed Xin Hua Bao Tong (Newspaper Boy), which follows a group of teenagers running messages during the war of resistance.

In 2023, he helmed Love Song, a musical about lovers separated by war.

His 2024 work Me & My Lei Feng pays tribute to Lei Feng, a cultural symbol of altruism and humility.

Jia Ding says he enjoys reinterpreting iconic stories because they carry deep cultural meaning. "These stories embody important cultural myths, morals and lessons, and presenting them as musicals allows for a fresh celebration of these values.

"Musicals express these themes through song and choreography, deepening the audience's emotional connection to the story. It's one of the most popular forms of art among today's youth," says Jia Ding.