Diva defies traditional stereotypes
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Ming Hwa Yuan largely has developed as a family affair. Twenty years ago, all of the family's daughters-in-law, except Sun, were excellent Gezai Opera performers. Sun was an accountant at the time. On one occasion, the troupe was short of performers for a big show. They required someone to play a servant girl.
Seven long years
Sun, who had no training, was urged to take this role.
Everyone was surprised by her talent, which was due to her good memory, casual style on stage and creativity.
Though the troupe's instructors gently advised her to give up, every day Sun continued to do the tough exercises required to stretch her ligaments so she could master martial arts roles.
She even refused to miss any time when her eyelid was severely injured by a whip during a rehearsal.
"It took me about seven years to be able to play a martial arts protagonist," Sun said. "Many people thought it was impossible for anyone who started so late. But I made it. Gezai Opera has made me taste the bittersweet aspects of life."
Fans of the genre have benefitted from her perseverance.
Her handsome portrayals of men are usually adored by fans. She has even been dubbed "the most beautiful man" by many fans. Sun's devotion to her craft knows no limits.
She reads books about men every day. She tries to grasp and imitate the body language of different men, from their sitting posture, tones to facial expressions.
"Once, when I was talking a walk with my husband, I wrapped my arm round his shoulder, unaware of the curious attention from passersby," Sun said, laughing. "You know, I go too deep into it."
Over the past few decades, Sun and her husband have witnessed the decline and revival of Gezai Opera.
In the 1970s, when television and film began to exert its wide influence, Gezai Opera experienced a big decline in spectators. Almost all the Gezai Opera theaters in Taiwan were converted into cinemas. Performances could only be found in the countryside or city suburbs.
Sun's husband and a group of Gezai opera directors and performers then began to change performance styles and stage designs to revive the genre.
With bold colors and set designs, exciting action, and emphasizing innovative scripts that resonate with modern times, Ming Hwa Yuan has become one of the most popular Gezai Opera companies in Taiwan.
"Our scripts are always based on the tastes of the young generation," Sun said. "We also include lasers and 3-D animation as the backdrop for several scenes to create a fabulous atmosphere. Even the subtitles of the singing excerpts boast a modern flavor and are easy to understand. We hope that our shows can give young audiences a brand-new experience and understanding of traditional theater."
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