About
Active Period
—
Genre
Subgenre
—
Geographic Location
—
About
The play is set at the end of the Song Dynasty, when Yuan forces had invaded and occupied most of northern and southern China. Xiong Fei (熊飛), a native of Dongguan (東莞), grieves the impending fall of the Song Dynasty and rises up in righteous rebellion, leading an army that successfully recaptures Guangzhou, Shaozhou, Boluo, and surrounding areas. Ultimately, outnumbered and overwhelmed, he dies fighting at the Liuhua Pagoda (榴花塔).
The drama unfolds through multiple interconnected storylines:
Guo Hun (郭魂), a Song official defending Shaozhou, falls ill upon hearing news of the invasion and dies vomiting blood on the day the city falls. His wife, Zhong Shi (鐘氏), is captured by Yuan forces and detained in their camp. Seeing her husband die for the country’s loyalty, she seizes an opportunity to stab the Yuan general but misses and is killed.
Li Xingdao (李性道), the foolish and incompetent defender of Guangzhou, betrays the country and surrenders when the city falls. The play vividly depicts his wife, Zhang Shi (張氏), and concubine, Feng Shi (馮氏), urging him to surrender, with their performances capturing the couple’s demeanor with lifelike realism. His loyal servant, however, urges his master to remain loyal with impassioned words.
Xiong Fei (熊飛) himself is portrayed as heroic and brave, leading the resistance alongside patriotic figures like Zhao Biyu (趙必豫). The play also vividly depicts Zhao Biyu’s wife, highlighting the malicious nature of certain women.
Other characters include Li Yong (李用), bearing the dignified manner of an ancient minister; Shu Yuan (淑媛), chaste and praiseworthy; and various supporting figures including Zhong Guoce (鍾國策), Han Jian (韓間), Li Shifan (李師範), and Huang Yin (黃胤)—all performing with vivid realism that evokes deep emotion in viewers.
Genre
Language
Showtimes and Venues
| Date | Time | Frequency | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 01-Feb-1909 to 01-Feb-1909 | From 12:00 | – | “吉隆戲院”, Kuala Lumpur |
| From 08-Mar-1909 to 08-Mar-1909 | From 19:00 | – | Pok Hing Theatre (普慶戲院), Penang |
| From 18-Mar-1909 to 18-Mar-1909 | From 19:00 | – | Lai Chun Yuen (梨春园), Singapore |
Schedule
| Running Order | Schedule Item | Type | Date and Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – |
Person and Troupe
| Name | Type | Role in Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Zhen Tian Sheng Troupe (中國振天聲社) | Troupe | – |
| Wei Canghai (衛滄海) | Person | Yuan General Liang Xiongfei (元將軍梁雄飛) |
| Chen Shaowen (陳少文) | Person | Yuan military commander (元將) |
| Huang Yuanyi (黃轅裔) | Person | Guo Hun (郭魂) |
| Zhang Xian (章顯) | Person | Zhong Shi (鐘氏) |
| Liu Hanzai (劉漢在) | Person | Li Xingdao (李性道) |
| Zhong Shaoyu (鐘少隅) | Person | Zhang Shi, Wife of Li Xingdao (張氏) |
| Liang Huanxi (梁煥熙) | Person | Feng Shi, Concubine of Li Xingdao (馮氏) |
| Li Yitian (李一天) | Person | Loyal servant (忠厚僕實) |
| Performer (collaborateWith) | Purpose |
|---|---|
| – |
Support (hasSupport)
| Supporter Name | Type of Support | Support Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Ba Yi Office (香港八邑公所) (Clan, association and society) | Financial |
Funded the tour of the performance. |
| Singapore Anti-Opium Society (振武善社) (Clan, association and society) | Distribution; Financial; Logistical |
Hosted the troupe and booked the performance venue in Singapore. |
Theme and Style
Performance Elements
Context
Media
中國振天聲社改良新戲. 南洋總匯新報. 18 March 1909, 3
Sources
Contributor
2026. “Xiongfei jiangjun zhan si liuhua ta (熊飛將軍戰死榴花塔)”. In Performing Archipelagos, edited by Kyueun Kim, Alvin Eng Hui Lim and Hedren Wai Yuan Sum. Singapore: National University of Singapore.
