Salome — Miao's dreamworld

salome 莎乐美

This is an unusually warm winter, with all the snowflakes concealing the traces of what is to come. The night sky is devoid of excess, like desolate streets after a sweep.

Except for those eyes. Her bright, golden, solitary eyes.

She is watching.

Salome, a girl born from darkness, is shrouded in the shadows of twisted desires. Her stepfather King Herod covets her graceful dance. On that night, as dark as any other, she fled the ball with her teddy bear. In the ghostly, intertwined mist, a soothing voice lit a lamp for her. Jokanaan baptized this child of sin.

Praiseworthy God, is this your redemption?

But I heard it. Your voice is melodious. I saw your body so pure, your hair so dark, your lips so red. Everything is filthy and terrifying, but only you are kind and worthy of love.

I am worthy, too.

Praiseworthy God, I do not want your cross.

You speak of Yahweh, but you cannot explain to me who the Creator is. The water cannot wash away my filth and sin in your eyes, and your cross cannot pull me out of the mire.

Praiseworthy God, I want to kiss your lips.

The triumphant king has pursued, surrounded by his phantoms. I will walk toward them.

Praiseworthy God, you will see me say goodnight to the teddy bear.

Salome, a name imbued with maiden fragrance, has stirred the hearts of many artists. In the few strokes of the New Testament, she is merely a backdrop to John the Baptist's martyrdom. In Wilde's writing, she is no longer a tool for her mother’s murderous schemes but is given an independent soul that declares beauty and desire.

In this unusually warm winter, we hope to take you into the heart of this girl, and scrutinize divine redemption through her eyes.

It must be a captivating fairy tale.

Goodnight, my teddy bear.

Salome (2017)

An Oscar Wilde classic adapted by Yulun Wu

Directed by Miao Chen

Showcased at Beijing Normal University Northland Drama Club 2017 Winter One Act Festival

persona

Jokanaan 施洗约翰

The Baptist. A prophet who is determined to purge the kingdom of sin — including its sinful daughter, Salome.
Salome 莎乐美

Princess of Judaea. She is looking for something genuine, something like a kiss.
Herod 希律王

Tetrarch of Judaea. He will give his stepdaughter Salome anything for her dance, even the half of his kingdom.