As spring blossoms, a series of outstanding performances awaits. On April 29, leveraging the rich revolutionary cultural resources of Jing’an District, the Museum of Cultural Relics and Historical Materials of Jing’an District delved deep into the theme of “A Hundred Years of Sanzengli” and developed the immersive drama “Silent Confessions”. The play made its debut at the 2024 Shanghai · Jing’an Modern Drama Valley, with performances held at the Historical Memorial Hall of the Central Bureau after the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
The immersive drama “Silent Confessions” is divided into five acts and virtually creates a CPC member named “Chiyan”, who was active on the secret frontlines during the 1930s. Audience members, carrying two fragments of memories from “Chiyan”, “travel” back to the scene of his final battle. By participating in immersive activities such as secret code exchanges and room searching, they obtain crucial clues, piecing together the hidden and remarkable life of an unnamed CPC member.
The entire performance incorporates various theatrical techniques, including immersive drama, captivating sound effects and voice-overs, as well as traditional shadow puppetry elements. It also combines interactive activities such as room escape and experiential scenarios. The audience not only observes the play from the outside but also becomes a part of the theatrical world, empathizing with the characters and experiencing a rich emotional journey through the immersive experience.
According to the introduction by the Museum of Cultural Relics and Historical Materials of Jing’an District, the creative team behind “Silent Confessions” consists of young guides, with an average age of under 30. They not only consider vividly expressing the revolutionary history but also incorporate the reflections of young people on “ordinary individuals”, “dedication”, and “sacrifice”. They interpret the choices made by revolutionary predecessors regarding “nation” and “family” from a youthful perspective. The use of disjointed temporal and spatial dialogues in the conclusion of “Silent Confessions” further emphasizes the profound message of the revolutionary theme, “A prosperous China, just as you wished”.
In recent years, the Museum of Cultural Relics and Historical Materials of Jing’an District has been committed to protecting, managing, and utilizing revolutionary cultural resources while maintaining authenticity and pursuing innovation to continuously explore new paths and methods to promote and disseminate revolutionary culture. Its seven venues have delved deep into and integrated typical historical events, prominent historical figures, and important historical segments and launched seven innovative immersive Party courses based on different themes, promoting the wide recognition of traditional revolutionary culture. These courses ingeniously blend profound patriotic sentiments, romantic emotions, and thrilling elements of espionage. They lead the audience to travel through time and become “storm chasers”, immersing themselves in the experience and absorbing the revolutionary spirit of CPC members who fearlessly faced death and remained steadfast. Through such immersive experience, audiences further strengthen their ideological foundation, unite their progressive forces, shoulder responsibilities, and march forward with courage and determination.