Madame Jiang’s Progress

Five years after first playing the role, award-winning movie star Jiang Wenli returns to the stage at the end of May to reprise her portrayal of Madame Ranevaskaya in Lin Zhaohua’s new production of Chekhov’s classic The Cherry Orchard at the Poly Theatre. Her striking performance in And the Spring Comes (Li Chun) impressed audiences and earned her the Best Actress prize at the 2007 Rome Film Festival. Jiang’s performance is eagerly anticipated: Visiting the theater on the last day of rehearsals, we saw her energetic and delighted as she put the finishing touches to Madame Ranevaskaya. Off stage, dressed casually and without makeup, Jiang still stands out from her fellow cast members. During a break in rehearsals, she chatted with agenda about The Cherry Orchard, her career and her upcoming film, which marks her debut as a writer and director.

How do you feel acting on stage again after five years?

When I first played this role, my only stage experience had been at university. I did not really know how to perform the role well. Now, after five years in which I have gained experience as an actress, scriptwriter and director, I am very much looking forward to acting in a large theater again. When I read the script again on the plane to the UK, I still thought it was a great masterpiece. It is so relevant to China, to the changes that have happened during the past five years in China. I feel it is so powerful and realistic. Five years ago, people were blundering. People are blundering even more now.

How different is it being a stage actress as opposed to a film actress?

I think being a stage actress is harder and more exhausting than being a film actress. Initially, I was a little worried that my voice was not good enough for the stage, because it was very low, and I had no professional vocal training. I was worried that the audience would not hear me. After I did The Cherry Orchard in 2004, however, I am more confident in my abilities on the stage.

How long did it take you to learn the whole script again?

It took me three days to learn all of my lines.

How do you understand your character in The Cherry Orchard, Madame Ranevaskaya?

I don’t like her, but I don’t dislike her either. I think it is a very hard role to play, because she has multiple facets to her character. She has a very nervous temperament. She is happy one minute, sad the next; sometimes she lives in the past and in her illusions, sometimes she lives in the present.

Tell us about your new film, which you wrote and directed.

From conceiving the film, to writing the script, filming it and now preparing for its release, the whole process has taken five years. The filming took two months. It is an autobiographical film about my grandfather and I. In general, it concerns life and family love. It is called Umbrella, because the old man is like an umbrella to the little girl. When the little girl grows up, he dies. I was born in the 1970s. Life was so different then. It was simple and relaxed. Now, people are surrounded by material desires. At that time, people were more concerned about spiritual needs. For me, in this film, I want to get something back from the past. I also try to find the true meaning of home.

You’re experienced as an actress; how did directing your own film compare?

I think being an actress is more enjoyable than being a director. As a director, you have so many worries, but as an actress, you only have one concern: to act well. As an actress, you can enjoy every moment, but as a director, the whole process is painful and you probably only feel a sense of achievement when the whole project is finished.

Of all the roles you’ve played, which do you think was the most exhausting?

My role as Wang Cailing in And the Spring Comes.

You once worked in a water company in Anhui province. Is the experience of Wang Cailing in And the Spring Comes at all similar to your own experiences?

I am not as persistent as Wang Cailing. From the beginning of the movie, when we see her as a young girl, she dreams of acting on stage in Paris. At that age, I never thought about becoming an actress. I didn’t even think about going to Beijing. Then again, I didn’t want to stay in my hometown: I wanted to get out and see the world. I think Wang Cailing is very different from the roles I was used to playing. Her inner struggles cannot be expressed externally. On the other hand, Madame Ranevskaya’s emotions, her happiness, her sadness – we can find these just by looking at her face.

Can you tell us more about your charity work?

I have been a spokeswoman for the China AIDS Prevention Association since 2001. In this role, I help spread information about AIDS prevention and take part in activities every year on World AIDS Day. I want to use my influence as an actress to educate and help people. I have also been a member of UNAIDS’ Global Coalition on Women and AIDS since 2004. In 2006, I published a book, Wenli Talks About AIDS, which is a collection of articles about my meetings with AIDS sufferers, experiences at AIDS conferences and some tips on preventing AIDS.

What do you do in your spare time?

I played tennis just before coming to today’s rehearsal. I like horse riding, skiing and traveling.

What is your favorite food or restaurant?

I like different flavors. I like to try food from different countries. Normally, I like to go to restaurants recommended by friends. I have been to The Orchard many times – it is a good place.

Jiang Wenli appears in The Cherry Orchard from May 22-26. Chinese only. RMB 80-680. 7.30pm. Poly Theatre. Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District. (6500 1188 ext 5126/5127) www.polytheatre.com