The ‘Three Kingdoms’ repertory of Yuediao Opera stands out among regional opera forms for its distinctive feature of casting female actors in xusheng (bearded male) roles.  Shen Xiaomei, the first Yuediao performer to receive the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award, carries forward the artistic legacy of Shen Fengmei, whose unique style established the Shen School of performance.  She excels in portraying Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist known for his composure in adversity, capturing his intellectual essence through nuanced singing and expressive interpretation.  The troupe is bringing in two acclaimed productions: the epic historical drama Jiang Wei Surrenders and the bittersweet comedy Li Tianbao Gets Married.

27/6  7:30pm
Jiang Wei Surrenders

Main Cast: Shen Xiaomei, Hu Hongbo, Nie Lei, Zhao Yanlin, Li Qiaorong

Jiang Wei Surrenders vividly reenacts a pivotal moment in the Three Kingdoms tales, when Zhuge Liang, prime minister and strategist of Shu, recognises the extraordinary talent of young general Jiang Wei of the opponent side and cleverly persuades him to join his ranks.

The protagonist Zhuge Liang is played by Shen Xiaomei, a Yuediao virtuoso and exponent of the Shen School.  She plays the xusheng (bearded male) role with a commanding presence and sings in a deep, resonant voice with crisp enunciation.  In the sixth scene, in the aria which is the highlight of the opera, Zhuge sways Jiang Wei’s loyalty with a game-changing persuasive piece.  The moment is a testament to Shen’s mastery as the first Plum Blossom Award winner in the Yuediao genre.  Nie Lei’s portrayal of Jiang Wei captures the young warrior’s inner turmoil, especially in the poignant line, ‘Defeat has left me utterly ashamed’, which lays bare his conflict between duty and ambition.  Against a backdrop of war and shifting allegiances, the dynamic between Zhuge Liang’s far-sighted leadership and Jiang Wei’s martial prowess immerses the audience in a dramatic retelling of history.  A true Yuediao classic, Jiang Wei Surrenders masterfully blends history, heroism, and artistry.

28/6 7:30pm
Li Tianbao Gets Married

Main Cast: Shen Xiaomei, Liu Zhiyou, Zhao Yanlin, Zhang Xiping, Sun Qianqian

Breaking away from the traditionally solemn tone of Yuediao, Li Tianbao Gets Married delivers a light-hearted and witty story.  Zhang Zhongshi, a wealthy man who falsely claims his daughter, Fengjie, has died to escape an arranged marriage.  When the prospective son-in-law, Li Tianbao, arrives to mourn her supposed passing, an unexpected series of comedic mishaps ensues.

Yuediao master Shen Xiaomei and disciple Zhao Yanlin bring Li Tianbao to life on stage with seamless chemistry.  Their portrayal of Li captures his innocence and quick wit, while Liu Zhiyou’s elaborate gestures and sharp-tongued delivery vividly portray the greedy scoundrel Zhang Zhongshi.

The repertoire’s highlight comes in the fourth scene, where Li rushes to pay his respects to his ‘deceased’ fiancée.  In over a hundred lines of lyrical storytelling, he mournfully recounts their love, blending sorrow with comedy.  Shen’s unique tragicomic singing technique enhances the scene’s emotional depth, leaving the audience intrigued and captivated.  Masterfully weaving farcical situations with traditional Chinese opera elements, Li Tianbao Gets Married stands as an enduring classic of  Yuediao comedy.