Double Bill of Jingju Magic 魔幻雙齣

Double Bill of Jingju Magic consists of two excerpts: “Avenging Zidu” and “Zhuangzi Tests His Wife”. Traditional opera meets modern theatre as these pieces examine the many facets of human nature, exploring the paradox of life and death, right and wrong, and cause and effect. 

Dubbed “Eastern Macbeth” and considered one of the most challenging plays for wusheng (martial arts male role), “Avenging Zidu” is a tragedy dramatising the damaging psychological effects of ambition and jealousy. Witness a lightning-fast display of seemingly impossible physical feats and acrobatic stunts from award-winning wusheng Li Jia-de. Despite the heavy costume pieces, each movement he executes defies belief, showcasing skill, agility, precision and strength that push the very limits of human capability. 

“Zhuangzi Tests His Wife” sees the philosopher Zhuangzi faking his death to test his wife Tian’s fidelity. Ling Chia-lin gives a commanding performance as Tian, placing the internal conflict of the female character at the very core of the play. Zhuangzi brings two paper effigies to life to keep an eye on his wife, but once they become flesh and blood, who can keep their thoughts and feelings in check?

Not only is there magic in the plot, but Jingju actors themselves become spellcasters. The stage is their domain, where they create a captivating fantasy with their distinctive artistic approach. Within the confined space of a minimalistic stage, they evoke audiences’ imaginations with their stylised actions, bringing all things in the universe to life—be they mountains and rivers, grand palaces and small temples, realistic forms of living creatures or ethereal gods and ghosts. 

As you take your seat, prepare to be whisked away on a spellbinding journey through Jingju magic, with the actors as your masterful guides. 

《魔幻雙齣》藉由陰間判官一角，貫穿著《伐子都》、《試妻劈棺》兩部經典京劇作品。將傳統戲置放於現代劇場的演出環境，審視人性的諸多面貌，探討生死、對錯以及因果。

被稱為「東方麥克白」的《伐子都》是一部以身段、功法展示高度戲劇張力的高難度武戲，生動刻畫著一個人因受野心和嫉妒心的驅使，而對心理造成破壞性影響的悲劇。《伐子都》被認為是武生角色中最具挑戰性的劇目之一，扮演「子都」的李家德需在身穿複雜的服飾下，進行高難度的身段演出。

《試妻劈棺》中， 莊子為測試其妻子忠貞，假死化身為楚國王孫，並透過賦予紙紮人靈魂此一舉動，觀察其妻子如何面對誘惑的行為。探討人性的多重面向，以凌嘉臨在劇中扮演的妻子田氏為故事核心，展現女性角色内心的衝突。莊子讓兩個紙紮人監控其妻子，但血肉一旦成形，誰能控制其情思靈魂？

以「魔幻」題的傳統戲曲，其「魔幻」自演員在空無一物的舞台上詮釋宇宙萬物，上至日月，下至山川，乃至時間飛逝、空間轉移，無不涵蓋在演員天人合一的演繹當中。演員將以精湛的技藝，帶領觀眾一同進入其創造的幻境。

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Ticket Price

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Additional & Accessibility Info

• Post-Show Sessions: There will be a post-show photo session on 20 July and a 30-minute post-show talk on 21 July.
• Age Limit: Recommended for audiences aged 7 years and above. If your child becomes restless or begins crying, we kindly ask that you bring them out of the hall. Once they have calmed down, our ushers will be more than happy to assist you in re-entering.
• Latecomers Policy: Latecomers will only be admitted at a suitable break in the performance.
• Language: Performed in Mandarin with English and Mandarin subtitles. 
• Note: This performance contains fire effects.
• Wheelchair users: The venue is wheelchair accessible.

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Artist Bio

GuoGuang Opera Company

Formed in 1995 and currently Taiwan’s only national Jingju troupe, GuoGuang is known for their innovative infusion of contemporary consciousness into traditional opera, allowing the genre to evolve with the times. They have been invited to captivate audiences in France, Prague, Shanghai, Hong Kong and even Singapore, where they have performed four times. Winning acclaim and support from audiences across generations, GuoGuang has given shape to a new school of Jingju and Kunqu aesthetics, allowing today’s audiences to experience an art form that is over 200 years old.

國光劇團

國光劇團創立於1995年，是台灣目前唯一的國家級京劇劇團。國光以「現代化」與“文學化”為創作方針，因不斷將京、昆劇傳統融入當代意識的創新舉動，塑造了新的京劇美學流派而聞名。國光劇團曾多次應邀前往國際演出，如法國亞維儂藝術節、俄羅斯契訶夫國際劇場藝術節、布拉格春天藝術節、上海國際藝術節、新加坡濱海藝術中心華藝節、香港新視野藝術節等。

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Creative Team

【魔幻雙齣】Double Bill of Jingju Magic

Organised by
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO)
George Town Festival  (GTF)
The National Center for Traditional Arts (NCTFA)

Presented by GuoGuang Opera Company
Sponsored by Ministry of Culture Taiwan (R.O.C.) 、Advantech Foundation

Supervisor｜Chen Yue-yi   
Co-supervisor｜Chin Hsiu-cheng  Lai Ming-Jen
Producer｜Chang Yu Hua
Artistic Director｜Wang An Chi
Script Reorganizing｜Wang An-Chi, Lin Jian Hua,  Wang I  Jui
Director｜Peng Chun Kang 
Stage Design｜Ho Hen Yang 
Lighting Design｜Hsieh Chien Min 
Projection design｜Hsu Yi Chun
Music Arrangement｜Hsu Chun-Hsuan
Featuring｜Li Jia De , Ling Chia Lin, Tsou Tzu Ai, Sun Hsien Po,Liu Yu Chih, Wang YungTseng,Pan ShouHo

主辦單位｜駐馬來西亞臺北經濟文化辦事處、喬治市藝術節、國立傳統藝術中心
演出單位｜國光劇團
贊助單位｜中華民國文化部、財團法人研華文教基金會
監　 製｜陳悅宜
副 監 製｜陳修程、賴銘仁
製 作 人｜張育華
藝術總監｜王安祈
劇本整編｜王安祈、林建華、王顗瑞
導　　演｜彭俊綱
舞台設計｜陳慧、何任洋
燈光設計｜謝健民
影像設計｜徐逸君 
編 曲｜許鈞炫
主　　演｜李家德、凌嘉臨、鄒慈愛、孫顯博、劉育志、王詠增、潘守和