Peach Blossom Fan The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Hong Kong City Hall Theatre Runs until May 31 (except Mondays) Cantonese with English surtitles One of the misunderstandings about the classic Chinese play Peach Blossom Fan is that it is essentially a love story. In fact, the central theme of the masterpiece by Kung Shangren (1648-1718) is the tragic demise of the Ming dynasty in the tumultuous years around 1644. The love story between poet Hou Chaozong and prostitute Li Xiangjun, though very moving, is designed to provide the backbone and metaphors that tie up the drama of a corrupt government waiting to be finished off by Manchurian invaders. Predictably, it is easier to bring out the love story in an adaptation than the intricate web of politics and military manoeuvres described in the very long original. But in this production, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre director David Jiang Weiguo, who also adapted the story, tries to strike a balance, and has largely succeeded. He simplifies the original plot, modernises the dialogue and adds some new passages, thus rendering the show digestible for an audience raised on television soap operas. Viewers who have enjoyed the original might miss the refined language and impressive poetry (which was intended to be sung). The work of well-known local artists in such areas as choreography (by Francis Leung), production design (by Ho Ying-fung) and music (in which Law Wing-fai displays his mastery of Chinese instrumental timbre) is effective. The actors were committed, but the two protagonists in the original seem to have a nobler bearing than those in this production. However, this adaptation is earnest, entertaining middle-of-the-road fare.