Taiwan's Ju Percussion Group rolls into Yilan with new version of 'Mulan'

台灣朱宗慶打擊樂團以新版《花木蘭》在宜蘭公演

Group's 60th performance of ‘Mulan’ features new section


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ju Percussion Group (朱宗慶打擊樂團) will debut their new outdoor adaptation of “Mulan” at Yilan’s Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park on Saturday (June 1).

This performance is the first of a six-show lineup scheduled for 2 p.m. under the Ministry of Culture’s (MOC) “Cultural Tour: Theaters at Villages” (文化平權巡演－庄頭劇場 藝日限定) program. According to the MOC, it aims to “promote cultural equity and to support the performing art industry and local performing arts groups.”

This marks the 60th performance of "Mulan" for the Ju Percussion Group. While the core performance remains unchanged, a newly choreographed section titled "Hoove's Talk in the Night" will be included.

This section, Ju Percussion Group Chief Executive Chen Szu-Lun (陳絲綸)the revealed, will focus on dialogue between Mulan and the horse groom, highlighting her struggle with homesickness, per CNA.

Previously, the stage was shrouded, leaving the audience to rely solely on the sound of simulated hoofbeats. This time, the curtains will be raised, allowing the audience to witness the intricate percussion movements and footwork used by the performers to create the sounds of six horses.

The group premiered “Mulan” in 2010, inspired by the legendary tale. A revised version was presented in 2013, incorporating elements of Peking opera, including graceful melisma, marking a significant milestone in cross-disciplinary collaboration.