The inaugural “Chinese Culture Performances Season” is slated to present the immersive drama “Farewell My Concubine” by Beijing People’s Art Theatre from January 29 to February 1 at the Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Box II in Nape, alongside a series of workshops and outreach activities, according to a statement by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) on Friday.
Organised by the bureau under the patronage of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture in conjunction with the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR, the season aims to showcase innovative productions highlighting the depth and vitality of traditional Chinese culture.
Written by 2012 Nobel Literature Prize laureate Mo Yan, “Farewell My Concubine” departs from conventional historical drama narratives and examines themes such as power, survival and responsibility through layered encounters between Consort Yu Ji and Empress Lü Zhi that transcend time and space, the statement said.
The immersive stage design aims to place audiences inside a recreated “Chu* military tent”, where they sit on woven mats and stools at varying heights to experience the characters’ emotional entanglements at close range, according to the statement.
This undated handout photo provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) shows the main cast for the “Farewell My Concubine” immersive drama by the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, slated to be staged from January 29 to February 1 at the Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Box II in Nape.
Founded in 1952, the Beijing People’s Art Theatre is one of China’s most influential drama companies, having staged more than 300 productions over the past seven decades and nurtured generations of theatre actors.
The statement noted that the production team will also conduct outreach activities, including an “Inter-regional Young Actors Dialogue” and themed workshops, adding that these sessions will explore character development and performance techniques, while additional activities such as an “Enamel Jewellery Workshop” and a “Calligraphy Workshop for Seniors” will introduce participants to traditional craftsmanship and stage aesthetics.
Registration for activities is available through the “Activity Application” section of the Macao One Account app, with places to be allocated either on a first-come, first-served basis or by drawing lots.
The show will be performed in Putonghua (Mandarin) with Cantonese and English subtitles.
Tickets, which are priced at 220 patacas, for “Farewell My Concubine” and other programmes in the Chinese Culture Performances Season are now on sale via Enjoy Macao Ticketing (ticketing.enjoymacao.mo). A 50 percent discount is available to eligible cardholders such as Macao Resident Identity Card (BIR), full-time Student Card, Macao Teacher Card, Macao Senior Citizen Card or Disability Assessment Registration Card.
*Chu (楚) was a powerful feudal state during the Zhou Dynasty in ancient China. It existed from around c. 1030 BCE to 223 BCE, making it one of the longest-lasting states of the period. – DeepSeek
