The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) announced in a statement this month that the immersive drama “Farewell My Concubine”, which is a part of the inaugural “Chinese Culture Performances Season”, will stage four performances from tomorrow through Sunday at Box II of the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape.
“Farewell My Concubine”, written by Nobel Prize laureate Mo Yan and produced by the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, breaks away from conventional narrative frameworks of historical drama and explores timeless themes such as power, survival and responsibility through multiple encounters and dialogues between Concubine Yu (Xiang Yu’s beloved concubine) and Lu Zhi (Liu Bang’s wife) that intertwine time and space, within the so-called “Chu-Han Contention” (楚漢戰爭) background.
The Chu-Han Contention (BC 206–202) was a 4-year civil war for supremacy over China following the Qin Dynasty’s collapse, pitting Xiang Yu’s Western Chu against Liu Bang’s Han.
During yesterday’s press conference, the stage play’s director, Lin Cong, said that the latest production is adapted from a 1997 work by Mo. Unlike previous versions, the drama adaptation specifically invited Mo to revise the script, shifting the narrative from a predominantly male perspective to one re-examined through a female lens, Lin said, adding that a dedicated monologue was added for Lu Zhi, enriching the narrative logic from a female standpoint.
Lin said that the performance venue – Box II – will feature tiered seating while ensuring an equal viewing experience for all spectators, adding that the stage is designed as the “Chu Army Tent”, with sliver pebbles at the centre and bamboo wind chimes hanging around, complemented by surround sound from all directions to recreate a “surrounded by enemies situation”, while the 360-degree “Dome-shaped tent” venue allows for close contact and an immersive experience between the audience and the actors.
“So close that actors might kneel right beside the audience”, Lin said, pointing out that the actors will be extremely close to the audience, enabling viewers to engage with the story from every angle.
Lin added that the play is focused on uncovering contemporary relevance and exploring women’s choices and their interpersonal dynamics. She pointed out that the production premiered in 2023 and has since been performed over 60 times. Compared to the debut, character interpretations and performance details have seen significant refinement, with core segments such as Consort Yu’s sword dance continually being improved, Lin said.
The production crew – Zhang Han Sheng (left) , Wang Jun Qian (second from left), Lu Lu (third from left), Lin Cong (fourth from left), Sun Yi Lin (third from right) , Zhang Han Sheng (second from right) and Wan Lu (right) – pose for a group photo during yesterday’s “Farewell My Concubine” press conference at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape. – Photo: Ida Cheong
This poster provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) yesterday promotes the upcoming immersive drama “Farewell My Concubine” slated to hit the stage from tomorrow through Sunday.
