Theatre in Shanghai Dialect Blossoms (Part I)

A tapestry of life and its people in Shanghai

The story is set in Shanghai in the last century, beginning with three youths who are good friends.

Abao, born into a capitalist family, is fond of the girl next door, Beidi.  In the 1960’s, Abao’s family home is taken over and Beidi disappears.  Twenty years have passed but Abao still cannot get over it.

Husheng, son of a cadre in the Air Force, adores the proud and aloof Shuhua.  His family is impacted by social transformations and Shuhua also moves to Jilin. From then on, Husheng has resigned himself from the worldly affairs.

Working-class Xiaomao develops a love relationship with Yinfeng, a neighbour and a sailor’s wife. When the affair is uncovered, Xiaomao misunderstands Yinfeng and cuts off all ties with Abao and Husheng.

The 1990’s is a time when the economy takes off.  Abao is now running a business in foreign trade and Husheng is a lawyer.  They come to know Li Li, a restaurant owner who once worked in the sex trade; the arrogant and wilful Ms Wang, and the big-spender Mr Xu.  Their encounter depicts the experience of a generation.

Blossoms is adapted from a novel of the same title by Jin Yucheng, which won the prestigious Mao Dun Literature Prize.  The play is adapted by Wen Fangyi, hailed as the youngest talent in play-writing, who paints a tapestry of life and its people in Shanghai.

Performed in Shanghaiese, with Chinese and English surtitles. The running time of the performance is approximately 3 hours 15 minutes with intermission. Latecomers will only be admitted at a suitable break.

This programme contains adult content.  Recommended for ages 12 and above.

Post-performance Meet-the-Artist session on 30 April (Sunday).

Production: SMG LIVE and V+theatre

Original Novel: Jin Yucheng

Playwright: Wen Fangyi

Director: Ma Junfeng

Starring: Sun Zhihong, Shao Wen, Du Guangyi, Wang Wenna, Zhang Kaiyi, Wang Jingping, Wang Yi 

'Blossoms shows onstage a picture of life at the grassroots in Shanghai while retaining the "poetry" that permeates the mundane in the original novel.' Comment from One Drama Awards

'By turning a literary work into a cross-genre work, playwright Wen Fangyi has also produced a brilliant masterpiece.' Comment from the 2^nd Chinese Theatre Awards

'We are finally able to see the tones and accents ingrained in the manners and spirit of a city.' Bei Xiaojing, renowned independent theatre critic

'Muted and gentle, a reverie and a sigh; there are no thunderclaps of admiration and outrage but one is left poundering in a pensive mood.  Brilliant drama!' Wang Xiangming, National Class One Director

'The most classic of scenes in Blossoms appears towards the end of the play which lasts for seventy seconds. It offers a lingering taste of Shanghai, which happens to be the kind of Shanghai on my mind.' Leung Man Tao, culturist

Theatre in Shanghai Dialect Blossoms (Part I)

DATE

VENUE

PRICE

28.04.2023 (Fri) - 29.04.2023 (Sat)
19:30

29.04.2023 (Sat) - 30.04.2023 (Sun)
14:15

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

$450, $320, $220

BUY NOW

DATE

28.04.2023 (Fri) - 29.04.2023 (Sat)
19:30

29.04.2023 (Sat) - 30.04.2023 (Sun)
14:15

VENUE

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

PRICE

$450, $320, $220

BUY NOW

Tickets available from 10 March onwards at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on internet, by mobile app and telephone.

Discount Scheme

Half-price tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and the minder, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis.)

10% off for each purchase of 4-9 standard tickets; 15% off for 10-19 standard tickets; 20% off for 20 or more standard tickets.

The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists.
The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.