Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Programme 3 House Programme Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Programme 3 House Programme Jin Yong Xiqu Theatre – The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Programme 3 House Programme

Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Naamyam Writing / Performer: Yeung Kin-ping@TroVessional

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.

The winds are cold, the rain gloomy in the dark night.
Whiffs of smoke scatter along the journey home.
The world of martial arts is in turmoil,
dominated by bloodshed rather than romance.
Some want to turn away from it forever.
Yet the path leads only to the river of no return,
ridden by debts of gratitude and the duty to avenge.
Enmity and sin can never be uprooted.

People always lust for power.
Intrigue and conspiracy are but tedium.
Obsessed with the martial arts,
people fight to the death over trivial issues
all for vain glory, with no one conceding.
Arrogant and perverse, trapped in their cocoons,
they pursue narrow gains, ignoring greater dangers.
Flower buds may grow, but the grass wilts.
Heaven predestines who wins or loses.
Why take it so seriously?
What if we just smile and forget it all,
enjoying our carefree days with qin and sword?

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.

Dugu’s sword skills made him the most respected warrior.
Unable to shake his fame, he was overcome with terror.
It’s not so easy to tell right from wrong.
It’s befuddling to differentiate good from evil.
Decrees from above can destroy hearts and souls.
Rules of propriety can lead to utter disgrace.
They can kill suddenly without shedding blood.
Some people pretended they were just and fair.
Others were wronged at clan altars,
sentenced to death without reason.
Some ignored injustice, calculating in their ploys,
thus gaining fame and reputation.
Others spoke up and gained higher ground
or they lowered their heads, conning others for pity.
It was tricky to handle such intrigue.
One slight misstep and you could die.
That was the Sword of the Moral Man.
He who wielded that sword had the power to kill.

Supreme skills were always hard to acquire.
One must self-castrate to practice such swordplay.

No, not the physical body,
but castrating one’s humanity as a way of preservation.
Mortal desires and vanity cannot be concealed.
Obsession can lead to madness.
Even until death, greed isn’t quashed.
How can one enjoy both fish and bear paw?

Life is filled with vicissitudes.

The martial arts world is tainted in blood.

Why not just laugh at mortal strife

and roam freely among the four seas?

A new song was written for the jade flute.

For a bosom friend, one sacrificed his life.

Death was but a small price to pay.

A song like this makes them proud.

Two lovers who cross the magpie bridge together

are far better that those acquiring power and stature.

Pledging love till the end of time,

holding hands and sharing life,

I’m elderly, my bones are brittle.
I was mediocre half my life. All my effort went to waste.

I don’t care to look back at the martial arts world.
In my leisure, I’d go to an inn and drink some wine.
I have no family or friends. I don’t have a wife.
Instead of defending each other when we’re destitute,
it’d be better if we forget the martial arts world.

The winds are cold, the rain gloomy in the dark night.
Whiffs of smoke scatter along the journey home.
The world of martial arts is in turmoil,
dominated by bloodshed rather than romance.
Some want to turn away from it forever.
Yet the path leads only to the river of no return.

Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Xiqu Director: Zhou Long

Scriptwriters: Zhou Long, Zhang Xin-jia

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

A Laugh at the World

Composed by James Wong

Xiao by Ren Jia-le

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!

What baseless claims by such rogues.

They had no shame, adding to the world’s turmoil.

Huashan swordsmanship is of the highest calibre.

Who dares challenge us?

Oh! Looking at it, I feel perturbed.

This sequence is superb and powerful.

Enemies would sense danger and retreat.

Undaunted, they accepted the challenge.

What courage! I’m in awe of them.

Upon further thought, I can’t but feel a sense of dread. 

I can’t but feel a sense of dread.

I recall last year in the twelfth month…

I recall last year in the twelfth month,

all of us disciples practiced in the snow.

We marvelled at the power of “Boundless forest”.

As swords flashed above,

snowflakes filled the sky and earth.

Look at these repulsive poses.

With bodies crouching, they’re unsightly.

I feel a chill. They look hideous.

“Boundless forest” is a true marvel.

This club may look clumsy, but it’s effective.

Although it has a strange shape, it’s strong.

Oh! Suddenly I’m overcome by despair, I want to give up.

Ah! I’m grateful to Elder Feng who taught me

Nine Swords of Dugu that enlightened me.

He opened a new vista for me.

Elder Feng, you’re a sword master.

Elder Feng, you’re a sword master.

You’ve provided me with something beautiful.

I learned this sword sequence from you

thanks to good fortune.

Having learnt this skill below the Maiden Peak,

in the coming years

I’ll devote myself to Huashan’s betterment.

Director, Arts Tech Installation: Mathias Woo

Xiqu Director: Kong Aiping

Scriptwriter: Zhang Jing-jing (Nanjing)

Performer: Song Bo-fan (Sheng, a male role) as Linghu Chong, He Xin-yue (Dan, a female role) as Ren Yingying

Guqin (recording): Chan Shek-ming
Dizi/Dongxiao (recording): Cheng Shing-tai

Where did this score come from?

The arrangement is complex.

Who kept the score hidden?

This song has traces of the Guangling San.

Let me reflect upon this.

I’ll tell you all about this song.

Alone, the qin awaits the clouds and rain.

Stifling its tears, the xiao watches as time goes by.

In sadness, qin and xiao have been neglected.

In sorrow, life’s romance passed them by.

I ponder human strifes and battles.
I ponder loneliness and hopelessness.
I ponder life’s cyclical nature.
I ponder how people change in different environments.
I lament, though without hope.
The moon waxes and wanes.
Listen to this song that calms you.
The melody takes flight like dawn’s mist.
Do not be sad, put on a smile because we meet.
Who knows what the future may bring?

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

Lighting Operator: Chiu Sung Ling Christy, Ho Wai Yin Albee

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

Online Questionnaire