Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Programme 1 House Programme Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Programme 1 House Programme Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Programme 1 House Programme

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.

Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Naamyam Writing / Performer: Yeung Kin-ping@TroVessional

Performer: Zachary Pink Yung

The Nine Swords of Dugu reigns supreme.
Unmatched in power, its force is unstoppable.
It has 360 transformations based on yin and yang.
It attacks, doesn’t defend, but presages future steps.
Its aura is like moving clouds and lightning rods.
Its goal is like water flowing in crevices and fountains.
With pre-emptive strikes, it attacks the enemy’s core,
ridding the confines of martial arts technique,
making the warrior forget himself and his sword.
There’s no line of attack, hence no line of defense.

Calling himself “lonesome”, he demeans himself.
It makes no sense that he should “yearn for defeat”.
He was stubborn, claiming he forsook technical prowess.
He was undefeated, but time caught up with him.
In the end, his body turned to dust.
He was so intent on trivial pursuits that
even if he did succeed one day,
yearning for defeat and victory meant nothing.

Qiubai was defeated by himself

while Bubai was defeated by others.

How I pitied Dongfang Bubai

who mutilated himself for power.

Pity that love and hatred contributed to his downfall.

In the end, he turned to dust.

He wasn’t able to take care of his love.

Obsessed with wielding power and satisfying desires,

he cared only about making himself pretty.

When the tree toppled, monkeys scattered.

Forgetting his forebears yet harbouring hatred,

he deployed his troops for an ambush.

Hatred is the driving force that motivates people.

The gentlehearted and benevolent don’t stand a chance.

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!

Ren Jia-le (Wusheng, a martial role) as Linghu Chong

Percussion (recording), voice-over (as Yue Buqun)
Zhou Long

Dizi/Dongxiao (recording): Cheng Shing-tai
Guzheng (recording): Chan Tin Chi

Creative Team

Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Xiqu Director: Zhou Long (Beijing)

Scriptwriters: Zhou Long, Zhang Xin-jia

A brave warrior is now confined to a cliff.

I look at shrivelled trees amidst sad winds.

As I raise my eyes, I see a mountain peak.

There’s nothing but silence and misery.

I was a tempestuous young man.

Now I kneel before this cliff, my pride wounded.

Here I stand before a stone slab.
Here I stand before a stone slab.
I ponder how many heroes have suffered hardships
through the changing seasons,
standing here as the years passed by.

Devastated, I dare not look back in my life.
Thank you for keeping me company.
A year hence,
I’ll return to Huashan and regain my name.

Suddenly, I recall my Master’s words.
I howl with regret
as I turn around.
With my eyes open wide,
I ponder the past
as rage surges from my navel.
Let me plunge my sword, I’ll break this stone.
What a surprise! It leads to an open cave.
Suddenly, I forget my sorrow
as this cave appears before me.
But here, skeletons are piled high.
What a distressing sight!

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?

Kong Aiping (Sheng to Dan) as Dongfang Bubai
Zhao Yu-tao as Ren Woxing (voice over)

Creative Team

Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Xiqu Director: Kong Aiping

Scriptwriter: Zhang Jing-jing (Nanjing)

Mountains and lakes are shrouded in heavy mist.
I want to reach the pinnacle but am unsure of the path.
My mind is filled with discontent; another day passes.
The ambition to rule the world is always on my mind.
At times I’m fearful, at other times roused with madness.

With my own sharp blade, I castrated myself.

How come I wasn’t flustered by blood and violence?

I can’t be bothered by mundane matters anymore.

I won’t bother myself with others’ chaos.
I’d rather enjoy the fragrance of radiant blossoms.

Fortunes are determined by Heaven, we have no choice.
There’ll always be winners and losers.
All along, good and evil are hard to justify.
Looking back, everything is but in vain.
The Five Mountain Alliance will meet its tragic fate.

Download and collect various xiqu (Chinese opera) roles now. You can be Sheng (male role), Dan (female role), Jing (painted face), Mo (old men), Chou (Clown) with no fuss! Are you ready to be your own man on stage?

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About ZdX Theatre – Chinese Opera ABC Programme

Original Novel: Jin Yong

Artistic Director, Curator, Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Xiqu Advisors: Zhou Long, Ke Jun, Kong Aiping

Xiqu Scriptwriter: Zhou Long, Zhang Jing-jing, Yu Sha-wen, Zhang Xin-jia

Performers: Kong Aiping, Ke Jun, Yang Yang, He Xin-yue, Song Bo-fan, Ren Jia-le, Yeung Kin-ping

Music Director, Assistant Artistic Director: Cedric Chan

Illustration: Lai Tat Tat Wing

Live percussion, performing: Zachary Pink YUNG

English Translation: Joanna C. Lee

Senior Manager (Production and Technical): Chow Chun-yin
Technical Producer, Lighting Designer: Mak Kwok-fai
3D Modeling and Set Production: Carmen Cheng
Sound Design: Law Kwok-ho

Video, Live Feed, Server Base Control System: Johnny Sze
Costume Design: Twinny Cheng
Structural Engineer, Installation Executive Designer: Liu Si

XR video shooting: Votion Studios

Stage Manager: Onki Chan
Deputy Stage Manager: Zeta Chan
Sound Operator: Chan Tin-yau
Make-up/ Hair-styling: Lee Wing-hung, Billie Siu, Janet Wong
Wardrobe: Bonnie Chan
Stage Crew: Leung Chi-hang, Wong Sai-tsun Christopher
3D Modeling and Set Production: Vienna Choi, Jessie Lam
Arts Tech Intern / Surtitle: Tang Shu-ting

Key Visual: Lee Ken-tsai

Videography: Lin Kar Ming
Photography: Yvonne Chan, William lee, Apple Lai, Vic Shing, Brain Yiu
Video Documentation: Ricky Cheng

Graphic Design for Promotion: Coco Cheung
Copywriting for Promotion: Song Leung, Seamus Li
Translation for Promotion: Mona Chu

Coding: Cordex Intelligence Limited (Frankie Pang, Derek Tsang, Ronald Shea, Tiffany Leung)

Graphic Design for User interface: Alva Lam

Research: Chuk Yin Man, Zachary Pink Yung

International Exchange Director / Producer: Wong Yuewai
General Manager (Administration and Finance): Jacky Chan
General Manager (Programme): Doris Kan
Senior Manager (Programme): Ho Yin-hei

Project Coordinator: Bowie Chow

Creative Research: Carson Chung
PR & Publicity: Luka Wong
Creative Assistant: Chloe Li
Programme Assistant: Niki Luk
Programme and Graphic Design Assistant: Carol Mak

Link-work Communications

Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kunqu Troupe

Mr Shi Xia-ming

Mr Zhao Yu-tao

Ms Kitty Yip Kit Hing

Wing Kei Flower Store (HK) Ltd

Ms Hedy Lam

Mr David Lo
Mr Sunny Sun

Linghu Chong: Flee by Night (Kunqu. Wusheng Laosheng)
Nine Swords of Dugu (Xiqu. Wusheng) 2
Read Sing the Smiling, Proud Wanderer (Naamyam)

5.23-6.2 Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

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