The Reform and Opening up witnessed by a Chinese American artist

During her long acting career, Lisa Lu has introduced many outstanding traditional Chinese opera works such as “Picking up jade bracelet”,“the Peach Blossom Fan”, etc. to the western world. At the same time, she has also introduced to China many elegant western arts and popular cultural works in line with the oriental aesthetics.“In the early years of reform and opening up, only a few works were translated. Many American modern works were unknown to Chinese. At that time, I felt that I was responsible for introducing the situation in the United States. So I translated several American playbooks, one of which was called "Jin Game". Since the drama was about the lives of the elderly, it was not a hit at that time.”

Lisa Lu, a Chinese American performing artist at her middle age.[Photo from the internet]

However, it was the translation that made Chinese learn more about the U.S.“When I came back to China, many people told me their admiration of American old for living in spacious house and having large garden. But I understand the family warmth of us Chinese old although we live in crowded house with families. But in recent years, the Chinese old are more and more similar to the situation inJim Game.” said Lisa emotionally in Shanghai dialect.

Crossing two countries, witnessing changes after opening up

Speaking of today’s Shanghai, the elegant elderly fills with joy in her eyes.“The first time I get back to China was in the early days of reform and opening up. Since the putting forward of developing Pudong under the reform and opening up policy, big changes have been made here. It took a few hours to get to Pudong in the past, but now Pudong is very developed and there are many high-rise buildings, such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.”

Photo of Chinese American performing artist Lisa Lu playing in an opera.[Photo from the internet]