Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District｜Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2025 Yangju Opera Institute of Yangzhou and Jiangsu Drama and Literature Creation Institute: Experimental Kunqu Opera “The Burning Painting”

Description

Artistic brilliance and spiritual damnation collide in a haunting tale of obsession

Set in the world of high art, The Burning Painting is a gripping psychological thriller that interrogates the contradictions of artistic pursuit and human existence on the brink between life and death. Clocking in at just one hour, this critically-acclaimed experimental Kunqu opera left the audience awestruck at its 2024 premiere, and is set to grace the Xiqu Centre stage this year.

Inspired by the historic rivalry between Tang-dynasty painters Wu Daozi and Huang Fuzhen, the story is a fictional account of Wu’s tormented creation of a masterpiece – a religious painting portraying heaven and purgatory. In order to propel Wu to the peak of artistic transcendence, his mentor Lu Yinggong goes to extreme lengths in the name of art, drawing them both into harrowing trials and chilling sacrifices. The result is a haunting meditation on obsession and the moral cost of genius.

The upcoming performances will be directed by the renowned Kunqu opera artist Shi Xiaomei, who originated the role of Wu Daozi. Meanwhile, her protégé Shi Xiaming will headline the production alongside Class One performer Li Zhengcheng, who plays Lu Yinggong.

Synopsis

Acclaimed painter Wu Daozi is at the height of his prowess when he starts an ambitious new creation – a religious painting that depicts the Six Paths of Reincarnation in Buddhist cosmology. However, when a creative block stalls the project, he descends into a purgatorial state of torment and obsession. To help Wu reach his artistic zenith, his mentor Lu Yinggong decides to undertake extreme measures. A masterpiece is born, but not without a harrowing price.

Runtime：Approximately 1 hour without intermission

Chief Director: Luo Zhou  

Chief Producer: Yang Runsen  

Artistic Director: Li Zhengcheng  

General Coordinators: Zhang Zhuonan, Xiong Chuanqi, Gu Daojun  

Planning: Yuan Ying, Xu Fang  

Coordination: Tang Yuxiang, Mo Chenhui, Cao Wenlong  

Performance Supervisor: Xi Muxiang  

Production Execution: Qin Tiantian, Hua Chunlan, Yu Sihan, Wang Jingyi, Wang Jie, Zhou Yu

Core Creatives  

Playwright: Luo Zhou  

Director: Shi Xiaomei  

Costume Design: Xu Ying  

Lighting Design: Wang Quan  

Assistant Director: Zhou Xin  

Vocal and Music Designer: Chi Lingyun  

Percussion: Zhuo Quanhao

Musicians  

Ensemble Leader: Chi Lingyun  

Percussion Ensemble Leader: Zhuo Quanxian  

Erhu: Wang Anqi, Zou Dawi, Wang JiaqI  

Zhonghu: Liu Shangyuan  

Pipa: Zhang Pan  

Yangqin: Zhu Yunyi  

Bamboo Flute: Ju Fagang  

Sheng: Ju Liping  

Cello: Tang Chenye  

Double Bass: Shao Zhishen  

Percussion: Cheng Jingcheng, Yuan Yukun, Zhu Yun

Sound: Zhou Zhou  

Lighting Design: Wang Quan, Chen Zemin  

Installation: Jiang Dexin, Lü Qijie  

Props: Xu Chuang  

Shoes and Helmets: Li Bin  

Costumes: Ka Lixia  

Makeup: Jiang Shuhong, Shen Ping  

Subtitles: Zheng Qimei

Main Cast: 

Shi Xiaming as Wu Daozi 

Li Zhengcheng as Lu Yinggong