2/8 7:30pm

The House of Wulong

The House of Wulong, a classic work of Peking Opera maestro Zhou Xinfang (stage name 'Qilintong') is famous for the vivid portrayal of its personas. The story originates from The Water Margin, where Song Jiang rescued Yan Xijiao and takes her as concubine, but they later turn against each other. The male lead of this performance is the esteemed performing artist of Zhou's legacy ' Chen Shaoyun, a recipient of the prestigious Plum Blossom Award. As a seasoned exponent of the art of the Qi School, Chen executes his stylised movements and routines that are distinctive of the legendary Zhou.

Main Cast: Chen Shaoyun / Lu Su (as Song Jiang), Yang Yang

3/8 2:30pm

Seven Heroes and Five Gallants – Part One

Created by the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company in 1957, Seven Heroes and Five Gallants is adapted from the novel Three Heroes and Five Gallants. A tour de force of Shanghai-style Peking Opera for its elaborate staging and featuring a full range of roles, this work excels in actors' artistry and dramatic pacing. Zhan Zhao is courted by the Song Emperor, moving to the capital where he is given a royal title of 'Imperial Cat', thus angering Bai Yutang, who wants to engage him in a duel. Heralded for its combat scenes featuring wusheng (military male), wudan (military female) and wuchou (military comic) roles, Seven Heroes and Five Gallants not only features Qi School vocal passages, but also liantan that is distinctly Shanghai — seven actors take turns to sing out an extensive vocal passage, as the heroic characters try to appease the rivalry between Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao.

Main Cast: Fu Xiru, Hao Shuai, Hao Jie, Gu Liang, Gao Mingbo, Lu Su, Xie Tianci, Yang Yang, Yang Yanan, Wang Dun, Yang Nan, Zhang Chenchen, Chen Yu, Liu Han Xiye, Lu Jialiang, Chen Zhipeng, Li Xueji

4/8 7:30pm

Seven Heroes and Five Gallants – Part Two

Seven Heroes and Five Gallants – Part II continues with the tales of chivalry and heroic deeds by the group of protagonists, who set out to punish villains and purge evils. The storyline follows closely that of Part I and features even more characters, including Yan Chasan, Judge Bao's apprentice known for his resourcefulness. This role will be portrayed by Fu Xiru, renowned as the 'most handsome laosheng' (senior male role). The various confrontations between heroes and villains create continual suspense – Bai Yutang probing the Skyscraping Mansion at night, Jiang Ping diving into a freezing pool to salvage the seal, and Deng Ligu stealing the seal from the field headquarters. The martial arts skills and blade-licking moves on stage are stunning eye-openers. The staging is a consummate combination of thespian skills and martial showmanship. The scenes 'A Fish Feast that Leads to Sworn Brotherhood', 'Night Talk in the Field Headquarters' and 'Meeting in an Inn' are vivid portrayals of the characters' personalities and emotions, in particular their heroic spirits.

Main Cast: Hao Shuai, Fu Xiru, Hao Jie, Yang Yang, Feng Yun, Gao Mingbo, Lu Su, Xie Tianci, Zhu Heji, Lu Jialiang, Li Mingyang, Liu Xiao, Li Tongsheng, ChenZhipeng, Chen Yu, WangDun, Liu Han Xiye

The running time of each performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes.

Shanghai Culture Week event
Shanghai Culture Week is co-presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Co-presented by