On the evening of October 1, Quanzhou, Fujian, played host to the grand opening of the 35th Quanzhou Drama Festival, dubbed the “Cishan Flower” Cup. The highlight of the night was the premiere of the new Liyuan drama “Tiying,” produced by the Fujian Liyuan Opera Heritage Center. The audience reacted with enthusiasm to the opening performance.

“Tiying” draws inspiration from the historical narrative of “Tiying Saves Her Father,” telling the poignant story of a young girl named Tiying. Just as a small blade of grass can move a massive rock, Tiying sparks a significant judicial reform in Chinese history. In the drama, she embarks on a dangerous journey, walking over burning coals to plead for mercy from Emperor Wen of Han. Her father, Chunyu Yi, has been unjustly sentenced to severe punishment for a tragic mistake. Moved by Tiying’s deep filial piety and horrified by the brutal conditions she describes, Emperor Wen ultimately decides to abolish such punishments and revise the Han legal code.

Directed by Xu Chunlan from the Beijing Peking Opera Company, “Tiying” showcases music by Yang Shuangzhi from Quanzhou, set design by Professor Liu Xinglin of the Central Academy of Drama, lighting by Zhou Zhengping of Zhejiang Art Vocational College, and costume design by Lan Ling from the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe. Young star Zheng Yasi takes on the role of Tiying, supported by distinguished actors Lin Cangxiao and Chen Meina, contributing to a dynamic artistic ensemble. Remarkably, the entire team dedicated almost a year to perfecting this production before it reached the audience.

A representative from the Fujian Liyuan Opera Heritage Center commented, “Tiying is a testament to the rich artistic legacy of Liyuan opera, famously recognized as a ‘living fossil’ of Southern drama, which has blossomed with contemporary appeal after nine centuries.” Following its debut, “Tiying” will continue to evolve, featuring in regular public benefit performances aimed at achieving greater refinement.

Quanzhou, hailed as the birthplace and center of Southern drama, is affectionately referred to as the “Home of Drama” and the “Capital of Southern Music.” Here, a diverse array of traditional Chinese theater — including Southern Music, Liyuan opera, puppet theater, Gaojia opera, and Dazhang opera — coexist, showcasing the dynamic creativity of China’s cultural heritage.

This drama festival, held every three years, acts as a “review of achievements” for the theatrical community in Quanzhou, running until October 12. The lineup features 12 selected works from local troupes, representing various recent creative endeavors. The festival encompasses a range of genres, including six historical dramas, one modern play, three puppet shows, and two music-and-dance performances, each reflecting unique styles and artistic brilliance.