The Stage

During the Republican era, wars raged across the land. Hou Xiting, the head of the Wuqing Opera Troupe, brought his star performers to the Dexiang Grand Theater for a show. But who would have thought that the finale would feature Dasang'er, a steamed bun shop assistant, instead of the leading actor? The entire audience eagerly awaited the appearance of the renowned Jin Xiaotian, yet the newly crowned warlord, Marshal Hong, insisted that Dasang'er perform the classic 'Farewell My Concubine'! With the troupe's reputation on the line, the front-of-house faced refund demands and chaos, leaving Manager Wu in despair, while backstage, Marshal Hong's gun-wielding antics terrified everyone. Both on and off stage descended into pandemonium, drawing in the male dan actor Feng Xiaotong, the education bureau chief Xu Mingli, and the scheming Sixth Concubine into this farcical mess. On stage, the King of Chu sings his tragic song; off stage, a spectacle of absurdity unfolds. To keep the troupe afloat and please the audience, how will this play end once the curtain rises? Adapted from the stage play of the same name.