Musical show ‘Farewell Beitou 2.0 Revival’ to hit the stage once again in December

Musical show ‘Farewell Beitou 2.0 Revival’ to hit the stage once again in December

2022-11-17

"Farewell Beitou" is a musical produced by the Greenray Theatre that has been thrilling audiences since 2018. The musical is set in north Taipei in the 1960s, inspired by a hot spring hotel in the area. The newest edition of "Farewell Beitou" will be hitting the stage again in Taipei in December. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a sneak peek.

"Farewell Beitou" tells a story set in the 1960s, written by acclaimed director Wu Nien-jen and award-winning songwriter Chen Ming-chang. The story was greatly inspired by a hot spring hotel in Chen’s childhood, and many of Chen’s signature song pieces are integrated into the plot.

Chen Ming-chang
Music Director
This is a story that everyone can enjoy. It is a story about Taiwan. Perhaps it can be turned into a repertory theatre piece in the future, where it can be performed for generations, and even showcased all over the world.

Wang Chun-chieh
Conductor
In fact, Nakasi music is a very important element in “Farewell Beitou.” I personally think Nakasi can be likened to Taiwanese jazz because both Nakasi and jazz are performed in clubs. Although in Taiwan, it is performed in bars, it is similar.

The newest edition of “Farewell Beitou,” titled "Farewell Beitou 2.0 Revival," has been upgraded in many areas, spanning from its music and script to stage effects. The cast has also welcomed a few new faces. One new cast member is actor Fang Wen-lin. She will be playing one of the main characters, Ai-jiao, previously played by Lotus Wang.

Fang Wen-lin
Actor
The place where I lived when I was young was very close to Beitou, so I am very familiar with this place. Honestly, the first time I read the script, I was very stressed because I am new to stage play.

Lin Yu-hsuan
Actor
I did a tour of Beitou, and then walked around the whole Beitou. I visisted bars and learned about the history of Beitou. I discovered that the scenes in our play, the scene of the wooden house, really seemed to have been moved directly from Beitou to the stage.

The show hopes to allow the audience to learn more about Beitou’s history. "Farewell Beitou 2.0 Revival" will be on show at the Taipei Performing Arts Center from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11.

《再會吧北投》2.0 REVIVAL 12月於台北表演藝術中心上演

2022-11-17

綠光劇團著名劇目《再會吧北投》，自2018首演以來好評不斷，故事以民國50、60年代北投溫泉旅社的發展為背景，全新的《再會吧北投》2.0 REVIVAL 將於12月上演，一起來看看。

以民國50、60年代為背景，著名導演吳念真與音樂人陳明章攜手打造《再會吧北投》，劇中描述陳明章童年記憶中，北投溫泉旅社的發展，並將陳明章多首招牌歌曲融入劇情。

[[音樂總監陳明章]]]
"這是一個大家可以共襄盛舉，我們台灣自己的一個故事，然後以後就能夠變成定目劇，世世代代都能演，甚至到全世界去演出的一個音樂劇"

[[樂團指揮王俊傑]]
"其實《再會吧北投》裡面有一個很重要的元素，就是那卡西的這個元素。我自己覺得那卡西的音樂就是台灣的爵士樂，因為那卡西跟爵士樂都在酒館裡面發生，只是在台灣是在酒家，但都一樣"

《再會吧北投》2.0 REVIVAL 從編曲、劇本到舞台效果，各方面都大升級，演員陣容也增添了不少新面孔，其中過去由王彩樺飾演的老闆娘「愛嬌」一角，這回將由方文琳擔綱演出。

[[演員方文琳]]
"我年輕的時候住的地方離北投很近，所以算對這邊很熟悉。說真的，第一次看劇本時壓力很大，因為我剛接觸舞台劇不久"

[[演員林雨宣]]
"做一個北投巡禮，然後就整個北投走一圈，包括看到酒家，認識北投的歷史，我才發現，我們戲裡面的場景，木造房屋的場景，真的是像從北投直接搬移到舞台上的感覺"

主辦單位希望能由《再會吧北投》2.0 REVIVAL ，讓觀眾更深入了解北投的歷史，該劇將於12月3日至12月11日在台北表演藝術中心演出。

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At a press conference held by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to report on the situation in Ukraine, the media was also eager to know Milley’s thoughts on whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping would attack Taiwan.

Mark Milley
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As best I can tell, he’s a rational actor, and I think he would conclude that an attack on Taiwan in the near future would be an excessive amount of risk and it would end in a strategic debacle for the Chinese military.

Milley believes that Xi will make a decision that is in China’s national interest. After all, Taiwan has an easily defensible strait and rugged natural terrain.

Mark Milley
US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff
That is a very difficult military task to do. You’ve got a large city of Taipei with 3 or 4 million people with suburbs of about 7 million people. You’ve got very complex terrain of mountains. Most of Taiwan is mountainous. So it’s a very difficult military objective.

Milley also remarked on China’s lack of actual combat experience.

Mark Milley
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For a military that hasn’t fought in combat since fighting the Vietnamese in 1979, they would be playing a very, very dangerous game to cross the straits and invade the island of Taiwan.

Milley also used the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an example, saying that it would be a strategic and geopolitical mistake if China imitated Putin and took action against Taiwan. He also emphasized that the U.S. military is fully prepared.

Mark Milley
US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff
And I think it would be unwise, it would be a political mistake, a geopolitical mistake, a strategic mistake. I can tell you that we’re watching closely, we are militarily prepared, and one of the keys now is to make sure that Taiwan can defend itself.

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Foxconn finds more than 70,000 new workers after mass COVID exodus in China complex

Reports say an iPhone assembly factory owned by Taiwanese multinational manufacturer Foxconn could return to operating at full capacity by the end of the month. The reports come after a mass exodus of workers earlier this month at the plant, which is located in China’s Zhengzhou City. COVID had been detected in the factory complex, and workers say they were afraid of being infected with the disease and getting locked down in isolation at the site. Already, through a series of subsidies and enticements, the company has attracted more than 70,000 new workers in just one week.

Earlier this month, hundreds of Foxconn workers fled from the company’s factory complex in Zhengzhou city in China’s Henan province. Since then, the company has offered four sets of subsidies and salary raises to lure workers back. The Henan government has ordered civil servants to go to the factory to help out for up to half a year.

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They can help themselves to warm rice, and they can get disinfecting wipes, and face masks for free. That’s what we’re providing to all the new workers moving in.

Foxconn worker
I’m getting 12,100 yuan (NT$52,000). That means I need to work for 30 days without being late, taking leave, being absent, or leaving early. That’s the only way I can get the 12,100 yuan.

On Chinese social media, a worker shares what his daily life is like, showing that some people are willing to accept the conditions. Though just as many find the conditions deplorable, Foxconn has managed to attract more than 70,000 new workers in just one week. The factory complex, which is an important assembly line for Apple’s iPhone, could return to full capacity operations in late November, according to reports.

Yang Jui-lin
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This of course could create some opportunities for Foxconn’s competitors to jump in. Perhaps they won’t expand their factories in China, and instead look to expand in other areas.

After the exodus of workers, financial services company Morgan Stanley revised its expectations for iPhone deliveries in the fourth quarter down to 79 million units. That’s a cut of 6 million phones, or a drop of 7%.

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Children play with artificial snow in this igloo. For the first time, organizers of the annual New Taipei Christmasland have built one of these icy homes for children to play in and snap pictures.

Children can also ride the merry-go-round at this Christmas extravaganza that’s put on by the New Taipei city government each year. During the festival, the plaza in front of city hall and a nearby park become the stage for light shows and installations featuring Disney characters. Even in the morning, the plaza is packed with people. Many wanted to come early to avoid nighttime crowds.

Member of public
There are more people at night, not so many in the morning. I’m afraid of something like what happened in South Korea.

Member of public
I want to bring my children to play here because it is Disney-themed. My children like Mickey Mouse and other cartoon characters very much.

Member of public
My favorite character is Spiderman.

Member of the Public
Visiting in the morning was not bad. I walked around and felt that this year’s Christmas will be different from before. I just went to the New Taipei City observation

Stephany Yang
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The annual Christmasland has kicked off. Besides light shows and concerts, visitors can also visit the Christmas market where they can buy food, acessories, and play games.

Now in its 12th edition, Christmasland presents the country’s largest light projection show every year. This year’s show will be held in the square in front of the city government building. The theme of the festival will be Disney+. In addition, it will play a show inspired by the Northern Lights. Also at the venue, there will be artificial snow shows and a Christmas market to buy snacks and trinkets.

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Christmasland has become one of the top 50 Christmas events in the world. It’s the best place. To be able to hold this event here for such a long time is an honor for our city’s brand. This wasn’t easy to do. There are six famous brands represented here, including Disney, Pixar, National Geographic and Star Wars.

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Keelung’s intercity transit station is nearing completion. Early Thursday, President Tsai Ing-wen came to inspect the site. During her remarks there, she promoted the DPP candidate for mayor of Keelung, Tsai Shih-ying, thanking him on behalf of the city’s people.

Tsai Ying-wen
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Six years ago, after Tsai Shih-Ying took office as a legislator, his first meeting was to coordinate the site of our intercity transit station. At that time, his office was still being decorated and his business cards were not even printed, but he was already fighting for its construction for Keelung citizens.

Tsai Shih-ying’s KMT opponent, Hsieh Kuo-liang, also played the presidential card, and invited former President Ma Ying-jeou to join him as he canvassed for votes.

Hsieh Kuo-liang
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I believe that President Ma has helped us very much. The other party is afraid of being overwhelmed. They’re afraid, so today they asked their President Tsai to come and assist.

Tsai Shih-ying
Keelung mayoral candidate (DPP)
When Ma was in power, Keelung was in last place among Taiwan’s cities. The transport minister appointed by Ma Ying-jeou had harshly criticized Keelung’s urban development. I don’t know if my opponent called in Ma to remind the people of Keelung that he was one of the butchers who messed up the city before.

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Two DPP lawmakers are accusing the KMT mayoral candidate for Taoyuan, Simon Chang, of being a liar. Chang in recent days has stated that when he was vice premier, he supported proposals to bring the railway tracks in Taoyuan underground. The lawmakers say that according to documents from the time, Chang is not telling the truth.

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The point of the document is to explain what the original subsidy was. Then the transport ministry could give a more detailed plan for how the funds would be distributed.

Huang Shih-chieh
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If he really was such a big supporter of bringing the railway underground, why did he write that on the financial plan for the project? He didn’t say the matter should be reviewed. He drew a conclusion, saying that the central government would not cover any additional expenses.

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Meta reveals the favorite emojis of different generations in Taiwan

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For many of us, picking up a phone and writing a friend a message isn’t complete until it’s signed with some emojis.

Member of public
It’s this “laughing while crying and rolling on the floor” emoji. It means laughing out loud.

Member of public
I often use this one, the bitter laughter. Sometimes in life you feel really helpless, but you have to face it somehow. And then without knowing why you start laughing.

As so many of us are glued to our phones, emojis have become an important new language. Your emoji usage often shows clear hints of what generation you belong to.

These are the most loved emojis in Taiwan, according to Meta. Among all generations, the “red heart” is in the top three. The fire emoji is beloved among the 18-24 demographic. From ages 18 to 44, “rolling on the floor laughing” ranks high. While for those 45 and over, the “birthday cake” and “thumbs up” are popular. And of course, most of us have our least favorite emojis.

Member of public
This one that’s crying. They’re telling you something bad.

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This one means I’m genuinely laughing. But this one means I feel embarrassed but I have to laugh about it. It makes me wonder if I said something wrong.

The internet is global, and other countries have their own favorite emojis.

Surveys by media around the world claim that this “laughing with tears coming out” is the most popular emoji worldwide. Second place is for the “red heart,” and third is that old favorite, “rolling on the floor laughing.” Perhaps surprisingly, national flags also feature high up on the rankings.

Among the 51 countries of Europe, 19 feature in the most used, including the Ukrainian flag, which has grown popular as a way to express support for Ukraine as it resists the Russian invasion.

Emojis are a vivid way to express yourself digitally, more emotive than dry text. They can also express multiple meanings, and are unique to each user.

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