A Dream Under the Southern Bough is a dramatic revelation of the illusions of worldly glory created by the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre. It is a masterfully adapted version of The Dream of Nanke written by Tang Xianzu, executed as a full-scale production in two parts. The story tells of a scholar Chunyu Fen’s sojourn in a dream to the kingdom of ants, where he experiences the rise and fall of power, love won and lost, and the fleeting nature of wealth and prosperity, only to awaken to life’s ultimate emptiness. Plum Blossom Award winner Shi Xiaming will lead 4ᵗʰ and 5ᵗʰ generation performers of the theatre in a reinterpretation that blends classical elegance with contemporary theatrical concepts, featuring lyrical poetry, mellifluous melodies, and ethereal staging through lighting. The audience will travel through a dreamlike world of poetic beauty and philosophical reflection in this highly imaginative dramatisation.
31/7 (FRI) 7:30pm
A Dream Under the Southern Bough – Part One
1/8 (SAT) 7:30pm
A Dream Under the Southern Bough – Part Two
Main Cast: Shi Xiaming, He Xinyue, Zhao Yutao, Xu Sijia, Sun Jing
The performance will run for about 2.5 hours including a 15-minute intermission.
Programme offerings differ by date. With Chinese and English surtitles.
Extension Activities
29/6 (MON) 7:30pm
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of Sheng (Male) Roles in Kunqu
Tutor: Shi Xiaming
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua
30/6 (TUE) 7:30pm
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of Dan (Female) Roles in Kunqu
Tutor: He Xinyue
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua
29/7 (WED) 7:30pm
A Demonstration Talk on The Painted Faces of Kunqu
Speaker: Sun Jing
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall
In Putonghua
30/7 (THU) 7:30pm
Meet-the-Artists: A Dream Under the Southern Bough – Creating a Virtual World from Reality
Speakers: Shi Xiaming, He Xinyue, Zhao Yutao, Xu Sijia
Moderator: Giovanna Wu
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua
1/8 (SAT) 2:30pm
Backstage Tour
Venue: Backstage, Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall
In Putonghua
Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Cultural Presentations Section website.
18/6 – 27/6 (THU – SAT)
“The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai’an – The Staging of A Dream Under the Southern Bough” Exhibition
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall
29/6 – 2/8 (MON – SUN)
“The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai’an – The Staging of A Dream Under the Southern Bough” Exhibition
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Tai Po Civic Centre