New Vision Cantonese Opera: To Be or Not To Be – The Legendary Story of Lu Wenlong

New Vision Cantonese Opera: To Be or Not To Be – The Legendary Story of Lu Wenlong is a spectacular stage production about fate and choice.

The story is set in the tumultuous years of the war between the Southern Song and Jin dynasties following the tragic “Jingkang Incident” in which Jin forces abducted two emperors of the former Northern Song dynasty. The plot begins with Southern Song general Lu Deng and his wife dying for their nation. Their surviving infant son, Lu Wenlong, is adopted by Jin Wuzhu, the crown prince of the Jin dynasty. Eighteen years later, Lu Wenlong has become a formidable warrior of the Jin, only to be shocked by a fateful discovery of his true origins. Torn between loyalty to the nation and affection for his perished parents, what choice will he make in such a painful dilemma of love and hate?

Led by esteemed Hong Kong director Fredric Mao, this new Cantonese opera is the brainchild of an elite creative team from Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Featuring a meticulously crafted script, as well as unique stage design, this production infuses the infectious power of our time into the essential aesthetics of traditional Cantonese Opera. The Class One Performer and China Theatre Plum Blossom Awardee Peng Qinghua leads the Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe, inviting the audience to savour a classic from a contemporary perspective.

Find the answer in this New Vision Cantonese Opera epic that explores the price for being a hero.

Co-presented by：
Leisure and Cultural Services Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe

Produced by：
Leisure and Cultural Services Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Shenzhen Association for International Culture Exchanges
Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality
Shenzhen Bao’an District People’s Government

In association with：
Bao’an District Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality
Shenzhen Public Culture Promotion Association

Supported by：
Shenzhen Publicity and Culture Fund

Co-ordinator：
KC Arts Management Limited

The programme will run for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Members of the audience are strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecomers and those who leave their seats during the performance will only be admitted and allowed to return to their seats at a suitable break. The presenters reserve the right to refuse admission of latecomers, or determine the time and manner of admission of latecomers.

The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

The presenters reserve the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

Information provided by the Artists.

Meet-the-Artists

(1) Defining Heroes on Stage: The Challenges of Chinese Opera Adaptation

Date: 5 May 2026 (Tue)

Time: 7:30pm

Venue: Function Room AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Speakers: Fredric Mao, Jason Kong

Moderator: Bernice Chan (General Manager, International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong))

Remarks: In Cantonese. Free admission. Online registration is required.

(2) Beyond Fan Culture: Promotion Strategies for Performing Arts in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Date: 17 May 2026 (Sun)

Time: 3:30pm

Venue: Bar Lemna, Lemna of The Alchemist, G/F, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Speakers: Fredric Mao, Mandy Yiu (Artistic Producer, Actors’ Family)

Moderator: Bernice Chan (General Manager, International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong))

Remarks: In Cantonese. Free admission. Online registration is required. A minimum purchase of one drink per participant.

Venue sponsor: Lemna of The Alchemist

Limited seats available on a first come, first served basis by online registration from 10:00am on 8 April (Wed). Please click here to register.

Post-performance Talk

Collaborating on To be or Bot To Be – The Opportunity and the Outcome

Date: 13 June 2026 (Sat)

Time: After the performance

Venue: Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre

Speakers: Fredric Mao, Jason Kong, Peng Qinghua, Huang Hui

Remarks: In Cantonese. Free admission. Audience members can participate without registration after the performance.

Curated and Organised by: International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong)