Peony Pavilion Awakening

The Peony Pavilion, a masterpiece by celebrated Ming dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu, tells the poignant tale of the maiden Du Liniang and young scholar Liu Mengmei, whose love transcends the bounds of life and death. As a pinnacle of Kunqu opera, this classic has captivated audiences for more than four centuries. In the 1950s, renowned Cantonese opera playwright Tong Tik-sang adapted Tang’s original to create an enduring work in the Cantonese opera repertory. Professor Pai Hsien-yung, a renowned litterateur, also curated The Peony Pavilion–The Youth Version in 2004. The production has been performed for over two decades, reviving the timeless classic of Kunqu opera.

To mark both the 70th anniversary of the premiere of Tong’s Peony Pavilion, and the 45th anniversary of HKDance, we proudly present the new multidisciplinary dance theatre production —Penoy Pavilion wakening. This production will blend dance theatre, Cantonese opera, and digital technology, reimagining the classic through an innovative visual arrative. We strive to advance the legacy of traditional Chinese opera through contemporary dance, injecting new vitality into Chinese culture.