Hua Mulan is known through history as one of the most heroic women figures of ancient China. During the 5^th century, the story of the legendary warrior was written as a ballad. The original song, unfortunately, has not survived, but at least a version of it exists written in a collection of poems, songs and lyrics with the title “Music Bureau Collection, written by Guo Maoqian during the 11^th or 12^th century.

The story of Hua Mulan, the brave young woman who dressed as a man and went to war instead of her old father and her very young brother, is one of the greatest legends of Chinese history. According to the ancient poets and writers, 12 years after she joined the army, Mulan did not accept any of the titles, honors and medals that were offered to her and just returned to her home and her family. It was only then when her war companions discovered her gender and felt surprised and admiration for her.

Although there is no archaeological evidence that Hua Mulan really existed, her story is being taught until today in Chinese schools. Historical person or legend, her story gave birth to one of Chinese people favorite songs that touches them and gives them courage through the centuries.  

Theatrical Play: MU LAN

Synopsis

The Northern Wei Dynasty [386-557] suffered constant invasion. The imperial court recruited solders all over the country to fight the invaders. HUA Mulan, not having the heart to see her father, weak and old, return to battlefield, decided to disguise herself as male soldier to take her father’s place in the conscription army.

In the camp, Mulan became acquainted with General Li Wei. In a sneak attack by the enemy, mullein was injured when protecting Li. When helping Mulan to bandage her wound, Li discovered that Mulan was a girl. They gradually fell in love. One night, the camp was raided by enemy soldiers. To distract the enemy, Li ordered Mulan to pose as him and lead the troop to withdraw to a safer place. Li was hopelessly outnumbered and died in battle. Mulan, although in deep grief, led the troop to resist and finally defeated the enemies.

After serving in the army for over 12 years, Mulan returned in triumph. In consideration of Mulan’s great contributions in battles and her filial piety to her father, the emperor pardoned her for cheating him, and appointed her to position of great importance. However, Mulan did not accept the post and returned to her hometown.

Director’s Note

The Mulan’s Story is handed down from generation to generation in China. Not only for Confucian explanations of filial piety and loyalty, the story also pays attention to feminine consciousness awakening. In this story, to assume the filial responsibility, Mulan joined the army that was the world of males, but she still longed for the sweet love as a young girl. The conflict between loyalty to the country and her personal emotion drove Mulan to shift from a country girl to a heroine who finally saved the country. She was just like a beautiful flower that was planted in the fields, grew up in country land and bloomed in the storm and rain.

The impressionistic aesthetic spirits in Chinese plays lay a sound foundation for us to present Chinese traditional stories and cultures on modern stages, and enables the world to feel the beauty of this oriental female character.

                                                  Trailer                                                                                                               Theme Song

Cast and Info

Mulan Ballad:

木兰诗
　　作者:郭茂倩 (宋代)
　　唧唧复唧唧,木兰当户织。不闻机杼声,惟闻女叹息。
　　问女何所思,问女何所忆。女亦无所思,女亦无所忆。
　　昨夜见军帖,可汗大点兵,军书十二卷,卷卷有爷名。
　　阿爷无大儿,木兰无长兄,愿为市鞍马,从此替爷征。
　　东市买骏马,西市买鞍鞯,南市买辔头,北市买长鞭。
　　旦辞爷娘去,暮宿黄河边,不闻爷娘唤女声,但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅。
　　旦辞黄河去,暮至黑山头,不闻爷娘唤女声,但闻燕山胡骑鸣啾啾。
　　万里赴戎机,关山度若飞。朔气传金柝,寒光照铁衣。
　　将军百战死,壮士十年归。归来见天子,天子坐明堂。
　　策勋十二转,赏赐百千强。可汗问所欲,木兰不用尚书郎,
　　愿驰千里足,送儿还故乡。爷娘闻女来,出郭相扶将;
　　阿姊闻妹来,当户理红妆;小弟闻姊来,磨刀霍霍向猪羊。
　　开我东阁门,坐我西阁床,脱我战时袍,著我旧时裳。
　　当窗理云鬓,对镜帖花黄。出门看火伴,火伴皆惊忙:
　　同行十二年,不知木兰是女郎。雄兔脚扑朔,雌兔眼迷离;
　　双兔傍地走,安能辨我是雄雌?

English:

One sigh after another,
Mulan sat opposite the door weaving;
But no sound of the shuttle was heard,
Except the sighs of the girll
When asked what she was pondering over,
When asked what she had called to mind,
Nothing special the girl was pondering over,
Nothing special the girl had called to mind.
Last night I saw the draft dispatch,
The Khan is mustering a mighty army;
The rosther consists of many muster rolls,
And every roll has Father's name on it.
Father has no grown son,
Nor Mulan an elder brother;
I want to buy a saddle and a horse,
And from now on fight in place of my father.
In the eastern market she bought a fine steed,
In the western market a saddle and a pad,
In the southern market a bridle,
In the norhtern market a long whip.
At daybreak she bid farewell to her parents,
At sunset she bivouacked by the Yellow River;
What met her ear was no longer her parents' call,
But the gurgles and splashes of the rushing waters.
At daybreak she left the Yellow River,
At sunset she arrived at the top of the Black Hill;
What met her ear was no longer her parents' call,
But the Hu horses neighing in the Yanshan Mountains.
On the expedition of thousands of miles to the war,
She dashed across mountains and passes as if in flight;
In the chilly northern air night watches clanged,
In the frosty moonlight armour glishened.
Generals laid down their lives in a hundred battles,
And valiant soldiers returned after ten years' service.
When she returned to an audience with the Son of Heaven,
The Son of Heaven st in the Hall of Brightness.
A promotion of many ranks was granted her for her merits,
With a reward that amounted to thousands of strings of cash.
The Khan asked Mulan what she desired to do,
I don't need any high official position,
Please lend me a sturdy camel that is fleet of foot,
And send me bank to my hometown.
When her parents heard their daughter was coming,
They walked out of the town, each helping the other;
When her elder sister heard the younger sister was coming,
She decked herself out in her best by the door;
When her younger brother heard his elder sister was coming,
He whetted a knife and aimed it at a pig and a sheep.
I opened the door of my east chamber,
And then sat down on the bed in my west chamber;
Taking off the armour worn in wartime,
I attired myself in my apparel of former times;
By the window I combed and coiffed my cloudy hair,
Before the mirror I adorned my forehead with a yellow pattern.
When she came out to meet her battle companions,
They were all astounded and thrown into bewilderment.
Together they had been in the army for a dozen years or so,
Yet none had ever known that Mulan was actually a girl.
The male rabbit kicks its fluffy feet as it scampers,
The eyes of female rabbit are blurred by fluffy tufts of hair,
But when they run side by side in the field,
You can hardly tell the doe from the buck!