In the Taiwanese language, 「adding a lantern」 is homonymous to 「having a son.」 The theme of this play is based on this homonym. A young man from a rich family, Zhi-kuan and his wife Yu-lian have been married for three years. Though enjoying their conjugal bliss, they remain childless. His mother, ea...Read more
In the Taiwanese language, 「adding a lantern」 is homonymous to 「having a son.」 The theme of this play is based on this homonym. A young man from a rich family, Zhi-kuan and his wife Yu-lian have been married for three years. Though enjoying their conjugal bliss, they remain childless. His mother, eager for grandchildren, threatens the couple that she will have them divorced if Yu-lian fails to conceive. Zhi-kuan is in a miserable state when he runs into a couple of beggars holding an infant, begging in front of a temple. He leaves behind a big silver ingot and steals away with the infant. When his mother comes to visit, he claims that it is their own baby. Later, he learns that the beggar couple is overwhelmed with grief, and so he suffers pangs of conscience. Finally, he admits to his crime and gives the baby back to the beggar couple. At the same time, Yu-lian showed signs of pregnancy. The family is overjoyed!
This is Tang Mei-yun's debut as a director, preserving many traditional conventions in the direction, and focusing on the sophisticated performance of the actors/actresses. Tang Mei-yun played Zhi-kuan, portraying his subtle inner entanglement. The very sweet Xu Xiu-nian played Yu-lian. Zhao Mei-lin played the blind beggar, singing with the utmost sorrow. Xiao-mi played the flirtatious, inquisitive Pearl. Her comical existence gives additional luster to this play.
Category | Xiqu(Traditional Opera) |
Type | Taiwanese Opera |
Chinese Title | 添燈記 |
Group | Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company |
Creative staff | Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company |
Subtitle | Mandarin Chinese |
Premiere | 2002-10-18 |
Venue | Novel Hall for performing arts,Taipei |
Duration | 150min |
Image Source | |
Other Works | The Symphony of Fate The Immortal Lovers Who Is My Bride? Deathless Beauty |