Highly recommended by the prominent writer Kenneth Pai Hsien-Yung

The Peony Pavilion 100 DVD

“The Peony Pavilion: Young Lovers’ Edition”, professional recorded DVD in 2007
  • A unique collector’s item;
  • Refined performance made perfect by its previous one hundred pre-runs, distinctively demonstrated the finest art of the significant Kun Opera;
  • Filmed and recorded by the Taipei Golden Horse Award winner, director Wang Tong and his professional crew, precisely captured the most creative stage performance and glamorous art direction.


    • About the DVD
  • This DVD covers the three books stage play with total of 27 scenes; with synopses and subtitles in Chinese (traditional and simplified Chinese) and English;
  • 80 minutes records of behind-the-scene titbits and sidelights, covering the creative work process, rehearsals, tour performances, celebration of the 100th performance, as well as interviews on significant personages;
  • A complimentary exquisite photo album contains over 30 stage photos taken by famous photographer Hsu Pei-Hung


    • Full set: The Peony Pavilion DVD 3 Discs, Production tidbits DVD and Exquisite Photo Album.
    Opera duration: 9 hours
    With Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and English synopses and subtitles.

    The Story

    Part I: Dream of Love
    The story happens in South Sung Dynasty. Du Bo is a high official in the city of NanAn, with strict house rules and an only daughter Du Liniang, who is known for her beauty and gentleness. This day, Du Liniang and her maid secretly go out to the gardens. Moved by the beautiful scenery, Liniang dreams of meeting the scholar Liu Mengmei at the Peony Pavilion. They fall in love in her dream. When Liniang wakes, she is depressed because of her unfulfilled love. She knows that she has little chance of getting well. So, looking into the mirror, she makes a portrait of herself and wrote a poem on the scroll. Soon afterward, Liniang dies.

    Part II: Romance and Resurrection
    Du Liniang’s spirit goes in front of the judge in the Underworld. Looking through the Book of Marriage, the judge learns that Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei will have be married in the future, and so he lets her spirit free. Back in the world of humans, Liu Mengmei is boarding in a house in NanAn. He picks up Du Liniang’s portrait by accident, and falls in love with the young woman in the portrait. This deeply touches Liniang’s spirit. In spite of being in two different worlds, the young lovers tie their knots and take their vows to be human-husband and spirit-wife. For his love, Liu Mengmei risks his own life to open up Liniang’s grave, hoping for a resurrection.

    Part III: Reunion and Triumph
    Quite worried that they may be found out and indicted, Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang flee to LinAn and temporarily stay in HangZhou. Liu Mengmei must be on his way to the public exams, and the newly-weds are separated once again. Liu Mengmei makes a long difficult journey to visit the home of Liniang’s father. Unfortunately, the old man is convinced that Liu Mengmei has raided his daughter’s grave, and so orders Liu Mengmei to receive lashes and be arrested. At this time, news of the official examination results reaches the in-laws. Liu Mengmei is the top scorer and is invited to the Emperor’s palace, where the family is finally reunited.

    Original work: Tang Xianzu
    Producer: Pai Hsien-Yung
    Director: Wang Tong
    Executive director: Lin Haoping
    Publisher: Digital Heritage Publishing Limited