“An Official’s Promotion” – a newly adapted Cantonese Opera
Xiqu
Description
Description
An Official’s Promotion is adapted from An Official’s Demotion, a play in the repertoire of the vernacular opera of Tangshan called Pingju and of Fujian Opera.The storyline makes references to the Chinese proverbial saying of fictional objects, ‘zixu wuyou’ (out-of-nowhere and non-existent).Bian Yixiao, Governor of Zixu Prefecture, is a broad-minded and upright official who has no fear of the powers-that-be.He is demoted to the post of Mayor of Wuyou County by Cui Yunlong, the newly appointed Inspector of Three Provinces, for having taken Zhang Xiuyu, a courtesan, as wife.Cui promotes Jin Daxian, a hypocrite, in Bian’s place as the new Governor of Zixu Prefecture instead.Then a murder case happens in the Wuyou County.To investigate, Bian disguises himself as a fortune-teller to gather evidence at the tea house.There he meets Cui who is on an inspection tour disguised as a traveler doctor.They strike up a warm friendship instantly.Bian thinks highly of Cui and offers to train him, and takes him back to his residence.During the night, Bian visits secretly the scene of the crime and discovers the adulterous couple Liu Qiang and Ai Chunlan, both suspects in the murder case.Liu injures Bian in a scuffle and flees.Because of his injuries, Bian asks Cui to preside over the trial on his behalf.Cui finds out that Governor Jin’s nephew is the murderer, but he frees him on purpose while feigning obsequiousness towards the Governor.Outraged, Bian puts Cui in jail.His wife visits Cui in his cell and gives him a lesson in morality.By then, Cui is filled with admiration for this couple and feels remorse over Bian’s demotion.Bian is set on bringing the murderer to justice.However, Governor Jin covers up for his nephew and accuses Bian viciously of raping a widow.How will the case end?To find out, attend the show.
Playhouse Manager︰Pauline Chan
Music Leader︰Pang Kam Shun
Details of other production units are only available in Chinese
Info
$140
$380
Indoor
Local
