Xiqu

The beautiful libretto of The Story of the West Chamber enjoys prominent standing in Chinese literature. In this production, the libretto largely follows the original zaju (‘variety theatre’) by Wang Shifu, vocalisation follows the music score by Qing composer Ye Huaiting (known also as Ye Tang) so as to produce vocal characteristics after the authentic ‘Ye style’. Using extensive modern stage effects, stage director famous for breaking the rules, Guo Xiaonan, introduces fluid lighting to create a lyrical setting for the West Chamber where the romance blossoms. This inventive approach hopes to deliver a new visual experience to the Hong Kong audience, as well as connect with young audiences through the kindling of romantic sensibilities.

Zhang Junrui, a young scholar, is on his way to the capital to sit for the imperial examination. He passes by the All Grace Monastery in Kaifeng, where the Prime Minister’s family is taking up temporary residence, and happens to meet the Prime Minister’s daughter, Cui Yingying. It is love at first sight for the two. But a message comes from Sun the Tiger, leader of the rebel forces, who declares that he wants Yingying for his wife, failing which he and his men would ransack the monastery. Yingying’s mother, Lady Cui, in her anxiety, accepts her daughter’s proposal that whoever manages to drive away the rebels will have her blessing to have Yingying’s hand in marriage. Zhang steps forth to offer his strategy, and succeeds in defeating the rebels. But then, instead of honouring her word, Lady Cui tells Zhang and Yingying to be sworn brother and sister. It is thanks to the maidservant Hongniang, who plays the go-between, that the two are able to continue to correspond in secret. Hongniang also helps to arrange a secret rendezvous at which the lovebirds become betrothed. When Lady Cui hears of the rendezvous, she interrogates the maid, who in a clever repartee, forces the Lady to give her consent to the couple on the condition that Zhang succeeds at the imperial examinations. As all gather to see Zhang off, the lovers bid a reluctant goodbye.