Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring Classic Edition in Shenzhen

Since its premiere in 1986, ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ has remained evergreen, widely praised by media both domestically […]

Since its premiere in 1986, ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ has remained evergreen, widely praised by media both domestically and internationally, and deeply loved by audiences. From January 18th to 19th, 2025, at the Shenzhen Binhai Art Center, the third Bay Area International Drama Life Festival will specially present the classic edition of the play ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’, led by Huang Lei, He Jiong, and Sun Li. Lai Shengchuan perfectly integrates ‘the play within the play’ and ‘the play outside the play’ in the drama, creating an unprecedented structure of stage plays, which has become a classic among contemporary Chinese-speaking drama original works. —— ‘Jinghua Times’

For those who love drama, ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ is definitely a must-see. —— ‘Beijing Morning News’

One ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ has created an unbeatable stage miracle for 20 years. —— ‘Entertainment News’

On November 18th, 2006, the Beijing version of ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ premiered in Beijing. This was the first time after numerous unauthorized versions of ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ had been presented on the mainland, that the audience had the opportunity to watch the official performance of this version. Once it was staged, it caused a sensation nationwide. Its appearance was like a strong stimulant, bringing unprecedented vitality to the drama market in mainland China at that time. Many people became drama enthusiasts and entered the theater because of this play. Among the many versions of ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’, the one that has been performed the longest is the classic edition. Since 2006, the classic edition team led by Huang Lei and He Jiong has toured hundreds of performances in more than fifty cities across the country! The classic edition has long been a unique performance brand. Its influence is a rare miracle in the cultural industry in recent years and a benchmark for drama creativity. Its performances have not only vigorously promoted the prosperity of the national drama market but also created a clever fusion of exquisite art and popular culture, becoming a classic that drama audiences can savor again and again. In 2024, the original cast of the classic edition set off anew, with Lai Shengchuan personally designing the stage art and inviting the famous painter Wang Jianuo to design the ‘Peach Blossom Spring’ scenery in the play. This classic edition of ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ also cooperated again with the old friends Jian Liping and Wang Yisheng from the ‘Performance Workshop’ and the Shang Theater for lighting and image design, while the costume design was undertaken by the famous designer from Hong Kong, Song Xiaotao, a Golden Horse winner. The famous poster designer Huang Hai, after ‘Once Upon a Time’ and ‘Dream of Dreams’ exclusive editions, once again added a visual feast to the poster of this nearly 40-year-old classic work of the ‘Performance Workshop’. ‘Secret Love in Peach Blossom Spring’ tells a peculiar story: ‘Secret Love’ and ‘Peach Blossom Spring’ are two unrelated drama troupes, both of which have signed contracts with the theater for rehearsals on the same night, and neither side is willing to give in.

As the performance is imminent, they have no choice but to rehearse simultaneously in the theater, creating an extraordinary stage spectacle that interweaves the sorrow and joy of ancient and modern times. ‘Secret Love’ is a modern tragedy. The young man Jiang Binliu and the young woman Yun Zhifan meet in Shanghai due to war and are separated by it; later, both arrive in Taiwan, China, unaware of each other’s presence, enduring a 40-year, bitter love before finally meeting again, only to find that they have both married others and Jiang Binliu is on the brink of death. ‘Peach Blossom Land’ is an ancient costume comedy. The wife of the Wuling fisherman, Lao Tao, Chunhua, has an affair with the landlord, Yuan Laoban. Lao Tao leaves home and discovers Peach Blossom Land; upon his return to Wuling, Chunhua has married Yuan Laoban and borne him a child… Directed by ⊙ Lai Shengchuan, screenplay by ⊙ Lai Shengchuan, planned and completed with the original cast including Li Liqun, copyright ⊙ Lai Shengchuan, Li Liqun. Performance by ⊙ Huang Lei, Sun Li, He Jiong, etc., set design ⊙ Lai Shengchuan, painting elements composition ⊙ Wang Jianuo, lighting design ⊙ Jian Liping, costume and styling design ⊙ Song Xiaotao, video design ⊙ Wang Yisheng, poster design ⊙ Huang Hai, supervised by ⊙ Ding Naizhu. Opening times are from 01/18 to 01/19, with performance times and duration subject to the venue.