The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (HKRep) is to restage its commissioned piece De Ling & Empress Dowager Ci Xi this month for the fourth time in a decade. Nothing extraordinary in that except the production, which goes on to the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing next month, has lured the US-based Daniel Yang back to the director's seat, as well as veterans Lisa Lu Yan, Kenneth Tsang Kong and Fredric Mao Chun-fai who had all appeared in the show previously.
The Qing dynasty imperial court drama by playwright He Jiping is a piece of popular theatre and a contemporary classic, says its cast.
'This is an excellent work,' says Mao, former artistic director of HKRep who staged the piece in 2006, in both Cantonese and Putonghua. 'It is good not only because we have stars like Lu and Tsang - though they certainly are a major draw - but this play demands seasoned actors who have the charm and presence to pull it off.
A production like this is a rarity in Hong Kong these days.'
Set in a period when China was threatened by the growing military prowess of Japan and in urgent need to modernise, the story revolves around the unlikely friendship between De Ling, a retired official's daughter who grew up in the west, and Cixi, who takes a liking for the outspoken girl.
Mao reprises his role as the empress' nephew, Emperor Guang Xu, Lu plays Cixi and Tsang her secret lover Rong Lu. HKRep's up-and-coming talent Mercy Wong Wai-chi takes the part of De Ling.