Traditional Art × Innovative Design — Acclaimed Revival of Reimagined Excerpts
Chinese Opera Masters Passing the Torch — Preserving and Innovating Cultural Heritage
Adapted from Jin Yong’s Iconic Novel — Honouring a Literary Legend
In 2024, Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer became the first-ever stage production authorised by Jin Yong’s estate. Led by Zuni Icosahedron’s Artistic Director Mathias Woo, alongside esteemed Xiqu (Chinese opera) masters and rising stars, the production fused traditional Xiqu with advanced art technology in light, sound, and visuals. Featuring newly adapted Kunqu excerpts and Naamyam ballads, the performance celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of Jin Yong, the legendary master of wuxia literature.
The 2026 revival of Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer offers a fresh perspective with two reimagined Kunqu excerpts and one Naamyam segment. This version explores the iconic characters of the martial arts epic through a distinctive lens, including: Invincible East performed by Kunqu virtuoso Kong Aiping, Nine Swords of the Lone Swordmaster directed by Xiqu innovator Zhou Long, Rapping the World of Martial Arts presented in Naamyam style by Yeung Kin-ping. The programme also features Meets Xiqu – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, an engaging guided session designed to deepen audience appreciation for the art form. Through a vivid combination of traditional techniques and modern technology, the workshop reveals the intricate beauty of Xiqu.
With authorisation from Ming Ho Publications
Adapted from Jin Yong’s novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
Jin Yong
Mathias Woo
Zhou Long (Xiqu . Beijing)Kong Aiping (Kunqu . Nanjing)
Zhou Long (Xiqu . Beijing)Zhang Jing-jingZhang Xin-jia
Mathias Woo
Kong Aiping (Kunqu . Nanjing)Ren Jia-le (Jingju . Beijing)
Yeung Kin-ping (Naamyam . Hong Kong)
Lee Ken-tsai
★ Grand Award for The East Creative Award (ECA) International Creative Design Contest
★ Gold Award in Communication Design (Corporate/Brand Identity), The East Creative Award (ECA)
★ Silver Award in Cultural / Community Interior Design—Theaters / Auditoriums, IDA Design Awards
★ Bronze Award in Architectural Design, ICIAD Award
★ Kyoto Global Design Award (Architectural Design)
★ International Council of Visual Arts (ICVA) Merit Award
★ Second Prize in The 8th Global Competition on Design for Future Education (Enterprise Track)
★ Kan Tai-keung Design Award (Integrated Design)
★ “Using Jin Yong’s literary works as a foundation for Xiqu experimentation, combining technology with Chinese opera, performance, and literature… something rarely seen in traditional Xiqu theatres.” — Tian Mansa (Chinese Opera Artist)
★ “We’ve never seen a Chinese opera before, or anything traditional. I thought it was wonderful. Classical! Spectacular!” — Ben and Sophie (Foreign Audience Members)
★ “What impressed me the most was the integration of Arts Tech. On this stage, it was the actors and the performance that led the art technology.” — Li Peiyan (Cantonese Opera Actress)
★ “I really appreciate how the opera was reinterpreted… the avant-garde visuals combined with traditional opera were truly inspiring for me.” — Keith Chan (Veteran Hong Kong Musician)
★ “I never imagined that Jin Yong’s novels and their essence could be presented through the movements of Xiqu!” — Chan Pui-shan (Cantonese Opera Performer)
★ “It was deeply moving! Through the stage visuals, you could truly feel the characters’ love and hatred so vividly.” — Victor Wong (Multimedia Artist, Winner of the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards for Best Visual Effects)
Those who seek divine combat skills must first castrate themselves. The undefeatable cult leader is also an obsessive lover who would give up power for attractive men. During his conquest of the martial arts world, Dongfang Bubai has transformed from sheng (male) to dan (female). Is he really invincible?
Xiqu Director, Performer: Kong Ai-ping
Scriptwriter: Zhang Jing-jing
Linghu Chong is punished with temporary exile at a cliff to reflect on his acquaintance with evil schools. In a cave, he discovers that evil swordsmen had deciphered the secret technique of his own school and loses his faith in the Mount Hua School. At this moment of doubt he meets Feng Qingyang, a senior at Mount Hua School who coaches his swordplay, and eventually masters the all-powerful Nine Swords of Dugu!
Xiqu Director, Scriptwriter: Zhou Long
Scriptwriter: Zhang Xin-jia
Performer: Ren Jia-le
Read-singing in Naamyam Jin Yong’s classic wuxia novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Narrating brutal bloodsheds, singing about favours and grudges in the martial arts world.
Naamyam Writing / Performer: Yeung Kin-ping
Ticket NOW available on ZUNI TICKETING* and URBTIX.
Standard: $320
Children, Local full-time student: $100
Joy 60+: $160
Golden 80+: $10
People with disabilities: $160
Recipients of the CSSA: $10
Social Welfare Organizations (HKCSS): Staff and service users – $10#
School Groups: Teachers and students – $60 (Student Guided Session)#
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Local artists, paired with a Xiqu artist, will guide you through an excerpted performance of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer in Cantonese(with English translation), presenting Xiqu 101 – showcasing typical gestures and techniques in Xiqu namely, singing, recital, action, and martial arts.
Brimming with the beauty of traditional performing arts, it invites everyone to relish Xiqu, delve into the literary world of Jin Yong, and experience Chinese culture and Arts Tech in the theatre!
“It’s an excellent introductory platform for understanding the ‘Singing, Recitation, Acting, and Martial Arts’ of Xiqu, successfully combining traditional and modern elements to preserve artistic culture.”— Mr. Kwok Ho Cheong (Xiqu Critic)
2026.1.18(Sun) 3pm
2026.1.24(Sat) 3pm, 8pm
Ticket price: $100
The Smiling, Proud Wanderer is the thirteenth martial arts novel by Jin Yong, and was first serialised in the daily newspaper Ming Pao from 1967 to 1969. The novel features a rollercoaster plot and characters with distinct and vivid personalities: Linghu Chong, who is upright and unconcerned with conventions; Ren Yingying, who is intelligent and capricious in her devotion; Yue Buqun, who is sinister and hypocritical; Ren Woxing, who is defiant and cunning; Dongfang Bubai, who is unmatched and sensually alluring… The character portrayals are vivid and engaging, making them fondly remembered by readers. The novel has been adapted into various films and television dramas, including versions created by well-known directors such as Tsui Hark and Ching Siu-tung, and it has also been adapted for radio dramas, mobile, and computer games among other multimedia formats.
The novel depicts the most genuine yet ugly sides of human nature, where so-called reputable martial arts sects are filled with despicable characters, while the unorthodox factions also have their share of heroic personalities. Everyone in the martial world is duplicitous, competing for the Evil-Resisting Swordplay Manuscript and fighting for power and profit through the ages. Linghu Chong, the leading disciple of the Huashan Sect, is a carefree soul wandering the martial arts world but repeatedly facing sinister schemes, killings, and bloodshed. In the martial arts world where the lines between good and evil are hard to draw, Linghu Chong endures many hardships, remains steadfast to his sense of justice, and ultimately, hand in hand with Ren Yingying, leaves the mundane world behind to smile proudly in the face of life’s challenges.
Jin Yong (1924-2018), born Cha Liangyong (aka Louis Cha), is a Hong Kong literary giant, martial arts novelist, and the founder of the newspaper Ming Pao. Starting from the 1950s, under the pen name Jin Yong, he created fifteen popular martial arts novels including famous titles such as The Return of the Condor Heroes, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. His works are both literary and entertaining, blending elements of martial arts, mystery, romance, and history, while also reflecting ancient Chinese culture, art, philosophical thoughts, and even knowledge of astronomy and geography. Besides, these novels are rich in plot and diverse in character portrayal, with frequent connections between different works, appealing to a wide range of readers.
Over the years, his works have been adapted into TV dramas, movies, video games, and other media formats, and have been translated into English, French, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and other languages, contributing significantly to the promotion of Chinese culture overseas. There’s a saying, “Wherever there are Chinese people, Jin Yong’s world of martial arts can be found.”
Jin Yong’s depiction of the “jianghu” (martial arts world) has inspired countless readers, making his works a precious legacy in the Chinese literary world. On the occasion of Jin Yong’s centennial, Zuni pays tribute to the world-famous literary giant of martial arts through a combination of traditional and modern performing arts forms.
Zuni has specially launched a Xiqu mobile application to complement the programme, allowing audiences to explore traditional performing arts in an engaging and accessible manner. Through text, images, and video demonstrations, the app offers a multimedia pathway to understanding the art form.
A themed installation will be set up outside the theatre. Audiences are welcome to use the mobile application to scan the markers on the tags before or after the performance to discover surprises!
Supported Languages: Traditional Chinese, English, Simplified Chinese
Featured Content: Singing(Chang), Recitation(Nian), Acting(Zuo), Martial Arts(Da), Xiqu Roles, Xiqu Symbolism, Codification in Xiqu
The project’s first presentation was in 2024 and is funded under the Arts Technology Funding Pilot Scheme by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Running time approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission included.
English and Chinese surtitles are provided.
Recommended for ages 6 and above.
No latecomers will be admitted, until a suitable break in the performance.
Zuni Icosahedron reserves the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists and/or vary advertised programmes and seating arrangements.
