| Han Yang Ling Mausoleum |
| Xian - Peoples Republic of China |
|
The Shirley Spectra was commissioned to devise and produce a complex SpectraVision program for the Han Yang Mausoleum in Xi’an. The Mausoleum celebrates the reign and the death of Emperor Han Jingdi, some 154 years BCE, and is a truly remarkable museum. It has been built on the site beside Han Jingdi’s Mausoleum and incorporates, in situ, some of the archaeological digs that have taken place. The Han Yang Mausoleum is the result of thirty years exploration and excavation, and is today a spectacular `underground archaeological museum’. |
A glass wall separates visitors from a partialy exposed archaeological excavation in which thousands of warrior figures, court maidens, military and government officials, plus figurines of sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens and horses were found – all waiting to be called to the Emperor’s underground kingdom. Han Jingdi continued the inherited philosophy of generations of Emperors, which was to treat death as living.
The brief was to produce a unique four-part, four-scene program that encapsulated the reign of Han Jingdi, and his Mausoleum, in a single SpectraVision cabinet for a theatre accommodating 65 visitors. Engineering skill had to be added to The Shirley Spectra’s creative and production repertoire.
The answer was a massive barrel of four SpectraVision stages powered by two powerful electric motors and programmed to revolve accurately and on cue for each scene change.
A cast of 22 actors and dancers, two Chinese directors, The Shirley Spectra’s Australian director, technical director, producer and audio engineer assembled in a studio in Xi’an. The script was written in China, and followed The Shirley Spectra’s synopsis, which called for an actor to play the part of a contemporary Chinese archaeologist and tell the story.
Vibrant costumes that reflected Han Jingdi period were meticulously designed and produced in Xi’an, and provided vivid colour and spectacle to each scene.
SCENE 1:
Click on the two scenes above to view video excerpts
SCENE 2:
SCENE 3:
SCENE 4:
The Han Yang SpectraVision theatre was officially opened on time and on budget in March 2006. It was enthusiastically applauded by the Governor and high-ranking Government officials. It was funded by the Government, and has been a resounding success, which continues to attract more visitors each month.
