The show Switch was nominated for the Traditional Theater Program Award under the 44th Golden Bell Awards in 2009. As a theatrical adaptation of the movie Face Off, the show Switch is set in a chaotic historical period in the late Ming Dynasty when imperial officials stoop to the level of pirates. The protagonist is the generalissimo, Bai Hsing-liang, who is responsible for bringing pirates to justice. In order to examine the topography of Shih Feng Island, where the pirates’ base is located, and prevent pirates from transporting ammunition to Shanhsi province and selling it to the rebellious military leader, Li Tzu-cheng, General Bai takes the magical “soul-switch elixir,” switches bodies with the captive pirate leader Mu Hua-shan’s son-in-law, Wei Chun-yun, and sets foot on Shih Feng Island without hindrance. Despite his initial intention of merely gathering and providing information about the island, he is subsequently caught up in unexpected emotional struggles and accidently discovers the truth of his father’s murder years ago. While in his new position, he grows to venerate and understand those pirates who used to vex him for not being able to eradicate them all. The complexity of human nature is explored in the dialectic of mental turmoil with entwined elements of good and evil.

The theatrical version of the show, which was produced by the renowned television writer, Chiang Pei-ling, has enhanced the plot rhythm and impact, employs the hilarious feature of chou (comic characters), and better assimilates the script into the tone and mood of Taiwanese Opera. In addition, the visual design of the show incorporates characteristics of video games. Skilled at setting up a large-scale fight scene, the director, Lu Chiung-wu, makes use of a pirate boat descending from the sky and combat troops who suddenly emerge in the opening scene. Besides, at the time when General Bai and the pirate Wei Chun-yun are transformed, ingenious lighting and special effects are used to cause immediate and drastic changes on the stage and to add dazzling magical effects to the show.