Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Introduction
The White Silk Gown is a new edition Kunqu Opera curated by world-renowned author Pai Hsien-yung and headlined by the winner of Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre Yu Jiulin. Since its debut in 2016, the production has been highly anticipated by the audience. Presented on the traditional Kunqu stage, the original Qing dynasty play of The White Silk Gown was not frequently played. The original version did not come with a particularly impressive plotline or libretti. Reading the Legal Complaint is the most well-known excerpt. The creative team and cast of Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu enhance the portrayal of characters and the representation of human nature. The script of new version has developed greater depth in content, and the production has placed much more attention on aesthetics. The strong bond between the father and son in the play is connected by conflicts and clashes – these traits are usually associated with those in a Greek tragedy or a Shakespearean play. Tragic elements such as interwoven fates, dilemmas between family and jurisprudence and the like are vividly depicted. Constructed with distinguished acting, a libretto with many layers and a highly captivating concept, the production will strike a chord in the heart of its audience. In the performance of classic excerpts, the excellent cast of the troupe will be putting their poignant acting skills into full play. The audience will be following the bumpy ride of the love story between a scholar in dire strait and a wealthy young woman in The Story of the Hairpin and the Bracelet. The lofty spirit to uphold ethical and moral integrity is depicted in The Story of Heroes. The true love between a couple who weather through difficult times are portrayed in The Story of Horse Selling and will be performed by the winners of Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre Shen Fengying and Zhou Xuefeng.
Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Programme Details
Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
11&13/8 Fri & Sun 7:30pm
The White Silk Gown (New Edition)
Presented on the traditional Kunqu stage, the original Qing dynasty play of The White Silk Gown was not frequently played. The original version did not come with a particularly impressive plotline or libretti. Reading the Legal Complaint is the most well-known excerpt. The script of new edition has developed greater depth in content, and the production has placed much more attention on aesthetics. The portrayal of characters and the representation of human nature are also enhanced. The strong bond between the father and son in the play is connected by conflicts and clashes – these traits are usually associated with those in a Greek tragedy or a Shakespearean play. Tragic elements such as interwoven fates, dilemmas between family and jurisprudence and the like are vividly depicted. Constructed with distinguished acting, a libretto with many layers and a highly captivating concept, the production will strike a chord in the heart of its audience.
Scene One Sitting the Examinations
The 20-year-old scholar Xu Jizu, despite his young age, is a man of noble character. He aspires for an offcial career not only to honour his family, but to help those in need and fight against injustice. He and his old father Xu Neng are everything to each other. Together they have spent 18 long years. Before leaving for the imperial examinations, Jizu bids his father an emotional farewell. The old man holds back his tears and prepares for his son some winter clothes, reminding him thoughtfully to take good care of himself.
Scene Two Encounter by the Well
While on his way to the examination venue, Jizu eases his thirst by borrowing water from Madam Zhang, an old woman who is taking water from a well. Zhang bursts into tears as she has mistaken Jizu for her own son Su Yun, whose whereabouts have remained unknown since Su Yun reported to his new office 18 years ago. The
woman’s plight touches the compassionate young man and he promises to look for her missing son. Zhang gives him a white silk gown, the very proof that would identify her son.
Scene Three Stroll in the Garden
Jizu becomes the top candidate at the examinations and is subsequently appointed as the Governor of Eight Prefectures of Jiangnan. He visits Wang Guofu, an old friend from his hometown who was the Minister of Military Affairs. When Jizu is strolling the garden, Madam Su, a wet nurse at the Minister’s residence, stands in his way. The wronged woman recounts all the excruciating torments she has suffered over the past 18 years. Jizu pledges to bring the perpetrator to justice.
– Intermission of 15 minutes –
Scene Four Message in the Dream
Xu Neng’s mind is churning after seeing some red flowers blossom on his neck in a dream. He asks a fortune teller to analyze the dream. Just before he reads the divination result, Jizu’s attendant arrives with the news that Xu is going to live in comfort for the rest of his life at the Governor’s manor. Overjoyed, Xu takes the dream as a sign of good luck and fortune.
Scene Five Reading the Indictment
Jizu presides over the court and starts investigating a case submitted by Su Yun, the former magistrate of Lanxi. In the indictment, Su states that his entire family clan were torn into pieces by a bandit called Xu Neng. Jizu is startled to find that the notorious bandit who harmed Su has the same name as his father’s. While pondering all the unlikely coincidences, Jizu’s old servant’s reaction to his query fuels his suspicion even further. More questions eventually reveal the cruel truth: Jizu is the son of the Su family, and Xu Neng, his adopted father, is the culprit who torn his family apart.
Scene Six A Difficult Trial
Jizu summons all the parties concerned to the court and finds himself in an insoluble dilemma: on one hand is his adopted father who has raised him as his own flesh and blood, on the other are his real parents who had suffered untold hardships for 18 long years. As a law enforcer, Jizu has to work for justice without bias. How to maintain moral integrity and practise filial piety at the same time? Jizu is in so much pain as if an arrow pierced through his heart. Behind a white silk gown are endless wounds and tears.
Chief Producer: Pai Hsien-yung
Chief Executive Producer: Sheng Lei
Executive Producer: Li Jie
Chief Coordinator: Xu Chunhong
Production Manager: Cai Shaohua
Artistic Instructor: Yue Meiti, Huang Xiaowu
Mentor: Wang Weijian
Playwright: Chang Shu-hsiang
Director: Yue Meiti
Executive Coordinator: Lu Fuhai, Zou Jianliang, Yu Jiulin
Music Designer: Zhou Xuehua
Costume Designer: Tseng Yung-ni
Original Stage Art Designer: Fang Kuo-yien
Stage Art Designer: Wong Choo-yean
Lighting Designer: Wong Choo-yean
Stage Manager: Li Qiang
Production Assistant: Fang Jianguo, Wen Yi
Photographer: Hsu Pei-hung
Cast
Xu Jizu: Yu Jiulin (Winner of Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre)
Xu Neng: Tang Rong
Gramps: Lu Fuhai
Madam Su: Tao Hongzhen
Su Yun: Qu Binbin
Madam Zhang: Chen Lingling
Wang Guofu: Wen Yi
Lady Wang: Shen Guofang
Doorkeeper: Lu Jia
House servant: Fang Jianguo
Court runner: Liu Chunlin
Court runner: Xu Dongyin
Gate officer: Yin Liren
Vocal: Yang Mei
Security officers: Liu Xiufeng, Wu Jiajun, Ding Yuming, Wu Jiahui
Junior officials: Xu Yun, Zhang Qi, Guan Hai, Zhong Xiaoshuai
Musicians
Dizi: Zou Jianliang
Drum: Xin Shilin
High-pitched Sheng: Zhou Mingjun
Pipa: Wang Yingying
Yangqin: Qian Yuchuan
Zheng: Zhang Cuicui
Zhongruan: Lu Huiliang
Erhu: Yao Shenhang, Fu Hao, Zhao Jian’ an
Zhonghu: Yang Lei
Suona: Fan Xuehao, Lu Huiliang
Cello: Xu Chenhao
Bass: Pang Linchun
Percussion: Liu Changbin, Su Zhiyuan, Cheng Xianglong
Stage Art Team
Lighting: Xu Liang, Xu Anping, Zhi Xueqing, Yan Xinxin, Pan Xiaodi
Sound: Shi Zuhau, Fang Shangkun
Props: Shi Qingfeng, Yan Yunxiao
Costume: Ma Xiaoqing, Hu Qianru
Make-up: Fu Xiaoling
Stage Installation: Weng Xiaocun, Lu Xiaobin
Headdress: Zhu Jianhua
Surtitles: Dong Qin
The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.
Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
12/8 Sat 7:30pm
Excerpts from classical plays
The Story of the Hairpin and the Bracelet is a chuanqi novel from the Ming dynasty whose author cannot be traced. The story’s heroine Shi Bitao, daughter of the rich man Shi Zhi from Zhenzhou, has been betrothed to the young scholar Huangfu Yin. The groom, however, fails to seal the marriage as his family has lost its fortunes. Bitao wants to honour the pledge, but more mishaps befall the couple, as Huangfu is put behind bars on some trumped-up charge and is sentenced to death by a corrupt magistrate. Fortunately, the innocent young man is acquitted at a retrial conducted by the Chief Inspector.
Secret Rendezvous
When told that her father is about to annul her betrothal to Huangfu Yin, Shi Bitao secretly sends her maid-servant Yunxiang to arrange a rendezvous at her family garden on the Moon Festival evening, so that she can meet her fiancé and give him the money and provisions for the marriage. It happens that Huangfu is out while Yunxiang arrives on his doorsteps. The maid cannot choose but tell Huangfu’s mother her mistress’s message and asks her to pass the word.
Garden Intrusion
Huangfu’s friend, Han Shizhong catches wind of the secret rendezvous. He passes himself off as Huangfu and swindles Bitao out of her valuables before harassing the cloistered maiden. Bitao’s heart is heavy, as her future husband turns out to be an indecent boor.
Demanding the Hairpin Back
Nervous and apprehensive, Bitao waits in vain for Huangfu’s proposal and sends Yunxiang to demand the ornaments back. This baffles Huangfu’s mother, who retorts that her son didn’t attend the rendezvous. A heated row ensues and both feel aggrieved and indignant.
Cast
Madam Huangfu: Chen Lingling
Yunxiang: Shen Guofang
Shi Bitao: Zhu Yingyuan
Han Shizhong: Lu Fuhai
– Intermission of 15 minutes –
The Sister-in-law’s Seduction and Wu Song Taking Leave of His Elder Brother from The Story of Heroes
At his elder brother Wu Da’s home, martial hero Wu Song has become the object of unwanted affection of his sister-in-law, Pan Jinlian. It comes to pass that one day, after downing some wine, Jinlian makes amorous advances to Wu Song. Wu Da returns and sees his brother leave home in a fit of rage. Jinlian tries to talk herself out of it and falsely claims that Wu Song has harassed her. Her words fail to convince Wu Da. Meanwhile, the County Magistrate sends Wu Song away to perform a task. Before leaving, Wu Song drinks with the couple and reminds his brother to be careful. Jinlian reads the hidden message between the lines and turns the tables on Wu Song. The siblings bid each other a fond farewell.
Cast
Pan Jinlian: Lu Jia
Wu Song: Qu Binbin
Wu Da: Liu Chunlin
Drafting the Petition from The Story of Horse Selling
Zhao Chong, the newly appointed governor of the City of Bao, goes to the country to boost the farmers’ morale. His wife, Li Guizhi, hears someone’s cries from a nearby prison in the middle of the night and, to her dismay, finds out that the captive is her wronged father Li Qi. She waits for Zhao’s return to the court and begs him to save the innocent man. But since the verdict was delivered by his predecessor, Zhao is in no position to overturn it. Instead, he writes for his wife a petition and asks her to plead with the Inspector General, now on an official visit, to redress the wrong.
Cast
Zhao Chong: Zhou Xuefeng (Winner of Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre)
Li Guizhi: Shen Fengying (Winner of Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre)
The running time of the performance is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.
Information provided by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Performing Group
Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
As a professional performing troupe in Kunqu Opera’s birthplace, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu sets itself apart from its contemporaries. Throughout the years, the troupe has persisted with the traditional performance style in its fforts to showcase the art in its original glory. Since the Chuan generation (artists who saved the opera from extinction, with Chuan as the middle character of their stage names), the troupe has nurtured five generations of Suzhou Kunqu exponents, namely Ji, Cheng, Hong, Yang, Zhen (literally to perpetuate and promulgate the art so that it would continue to prosper). Among the cast, the veteran Wang Fang is a two-time winner of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre; Shen Fengying, Yu Jiulin and Zhou Xuefeng are other winners of the same accolade. Works presented in the latest decade include The Peony Pavilion (Youth Version), The Palace of Eternal Life, The Peony Pavilion (Chinese–Japanese co-production), The Great Beauty Xi Shi, The Story of the Jade Hairpin, The Story of the West Chamber, Scepters Piling on the Couch, The White Silk Gown, The Legend of the White Snake, etc. drawing wide attention in the Kunqu and culture circles. The Peony Pavilion (Youth Version) was selected as a major subsidized project in the 2010-2011 National Theatre Art Elite Scheme. All these endeavours have opened up new channels for cultural exchange and brought the art of Kunqu Opera to a worldwide audience.
Website: www.jsszkjy.com
Information provided by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Production Team
Troupe Director & Tour Leader: Cai Shaohua
Artistic Director: Yue Meiti (Guest)
Cast: Yu Jiulin, Shen Fengying, Zhou Xuefeng, Lu Fuhai, Tao Hongzhen, Lu Jia, Shen Guofang, Tang Rong, Chen Lingling, Qu Binbin, Ding Yuming, Fang Jianguo, Zhu Yingyuan, Wu Jiajun, Wu Jiahui, Liu Chunlin, Xu Yun, Xu Dongyin, Yin Liren, Zhang Qi, Yang Mei, Guan Hai, Wen Yi, Liu Xiufeng, Zhong Xiaoshuai
Musicians: Zou Jianliang, Xin Shilin, Fan Xuehao, Su Zhiyuan, Wang Yingying, Zhou Mingjun, Fu Hao, Yao Shenhang, Shi Chengji, Xu Chenhao, Zhang Cuicui, Lu Huiliang, Cheng Xianglong, Yang Lei, Zhao Jian’ an, Liu Changbin, Qian Yuchuan, Pang Linchun
Stage Art Team: Li Qiang, Shi Zuhau, Fu Xiaoling, Ma Xiaoqing, Hu Qianru, Fang Shangkun, Shi Qingfeng, Zhu Jianhua, Xu Liang, Weng Xiaocun, Lu Xiaobin, Zhi Xueqing, Wong Choo-yean (Guest), Dong Qin, Pan Xiaodi, Yan Yunxiao, Yan Xinxin
Administration: Zhou Ying
Co-ordinator & Planning: The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture
House Programme Information and Surtitles Translation: Multilingual Translation Services, Lau Kan-yui Elbe
Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu
Ticketing
Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
11-13/8 Fri-Sun 7:30pm
$340 
$260 
$150
With Chinese and English surtitles
Please refer to the "Extension Activities" page for details of extension activities
Programme Enquiries: 2268 7325
Ticketing Enquiries: 3761 6661
Credit Card Telephone Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
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