Yingying (Right) and her maid, Hong Niang (Left) [Photo courtesy of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre.]

The Romance of the West Chamber is one of the most famous Chinese dramatic works. It was written by the Yuan Dynasty playwright Wang Shifu, and is set during the Tang Dynasty.

It tells the story of young lovers who consummate their love without parental approval. It's been called "China's most popular love comedy" and a "lover's bible".

There have already been many versions of the play, such as by Shaoxing Opera, Yuan Poetry, and Yu Opera. Recently, another version of the play - the Dadu version of modern Kun Opera will be staged at the Polly Theatre in Beijing. Since the play has had many versions before, each version differs from the other and has its own focus. However, this new version will be the one which is closest to the original. That's also why it's called the Dadu version; it's where the playwright Wang Shifu lived.

The Dadu version of this play combines fashion, aesthetics and poetry. Take the stage for example. The stage is covered with glass, under which are floating rose petals. The audience will think of the romance of love rather than the romance of the west chamber. Fast-tempo and graceful music will also add a modern flavor.

The Romance of the West Chamber tells the story of a secret love affair between Zhang Sheng, a young scholar, and Cui Yingying, the daughter of a chief minister of the Tang court. The two first meet in a Buddhist monastery. Zhang Sheng falls in love with her immediately, but is prevented from expressing his feelings while Yingying is under her mother's watchful eye. All he can do is to express his love in a poem and read aloud behind the wall of the courtyard in which Yingying is living.

Unfortunately, Sun Feihu, a local bandit, dispatches ruffians to surround the monastery, in the hope of taking Yingying as his consort. Yingying's mother agrees that whoever drives the bandits away can marry Yingying, so Zhang Sheng contacts his childhood friend General Du Que, who finally helps to subdue the bandits.

However, Yingying's mother begins to regret her rash promise to Zhang Sheng, and refuses to let the two young lovers marry. The two are greatly disappointed, and begin to pine away with their unfulfilled love.

Fortunately, Yingying's maid, Hong Niang, takes pity on them, and ingeniously arranges to bring them together in a secret union. Yingying's mother reluctantly consents to a formal marriage on one condition: Zhang must pass the civil service examination. To the joy of young lovers, Zhang Sheng proves to be a brilliant scholar, and is appointed to high office. The story ends on a happy note as the two are finally married.

The play will be performed on November 11th. Audiences who have a passion for opera can go to Polly Theater and enjoy this timeless tale.

Yingying (Left), her maid, Hong Niang (Middle), and Zhang Sheng (Right) [Photo courtesy of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre.]