Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts - Opera House
Date: December 23, 2017
Duration: Approximate 140 mins
About
Production Year: 2015
Language: Chinese (with English & Chinese subtitles)
Presenter: National Centre for the Performing Arts
Executive Presenter: CHEN Ping
Performed by Jingju Theatre Company of Beijing
SynopsisIn the Chunqiu Period, the younger brother of Lord Zheng rebels in Jingyi. Lord Zheng leads his army to repress them and succeeds, but he discovers by chance that his mother has been secretly supporting his younger brother and intends to dethrone him in favor of the younger. In great rage, Lord Zheng exiles his mother, whose surname is JIANG, and swears not to meet with her until both of them die. Nevertheless, their terrible relationship would be criticized and harmful for the nation. Considering the situation, a senior official named Yingkaoshu tries all means to persuade Lord Zheng to change his mind. He even digs a nine-feet ditch to symbolize the Huangquan (netherworld in Chinese) and convinces Lord Zheng to meet with his mother there and to forget their strife. This conveys the message, "All people in the country will actively follow the ruler if he rules with benevolence and filial piety."