Chronicle of Events

The Annual Production “The Moon Was in Tears”

“The Moon Was in Tears” was selected in the “202021Taiwan Traditional Theatre Festival” and was premiered in the Taiwan Traditional Theatre and Music Center. At first, this show was chosen in the “2021 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival“ but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‡ Important Performances

“Assassin Stories – Hidden Sword” (one performance each in Linkou and Changhua) at “Popularization of Traditional Arts Series” – the 2021 Private Theater Reshaping Project by National Center for Traditional Arts -

The remake of the 2012 Annual Production-“ Where is Mackie?”

This production in the “New Art Life Series” was a collaboration between the Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe and the National Center For Traditional Arts.
Two months later, upon the invitation of Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), this production was performed in the 2020 TCCF Exchange Activity.”

★Awards

Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe received the nominations for “Thousand Years” and “Me, Myself and I” at the “31st Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music.”
Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe won the “Best Group Performance Award” for “My, Myself and I.”
Shi Ru-fang won the “Best Script Award” – for the script of “Me, Myself and I.”
Ma Lan, Cheng Meng-liang, and Ke Zhi-hao won the “Best Music Design Award”- for the music in “Me, Myself and I.”
Huang Yu-lin won the “Best Actress Award” – for her performance in “Thousand Years” -

‡ Important Performances

* “Bring Your Smile ” in the Traditional Performing Programs of 2020 One-Table, Two-Chair, Symbolic Stage by Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture
* “Splinting Mountains for Saving Mother” at the Taichung City Traditional Arts Tour of the 2020 Taiwan Lantern Festival Cultural-Related Project
* “Justice Bao Meets Empress Dowager “ at the Minnan Traditional Art Tour
* “Journey West: Web of Deceit” at the 2020 Taoyuan Lotus Festival
* “Splinting Mountains for Saving Mother” (one performance each in Kaohsiung and Yilan)at the Popularization of Traditional Arts” – the 2021 Private Theater Reshaping Project by National Center For Traditional Arts
* “Bafu Censors” at Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater in 2020

◆ Selected by the In-Response to the Pandemic Project organized by the National National Center For Traditional Arts -

* “Assassin Stories – Hidden Sword” – A Collection of Recordings of Traditional Performing Groups in a New Media Age
* The Cast & Stage Crew Cultivation Project for Traditional Performing Groups
* The Information Digitalization and Development Project for Traditional Performing Groups

The Annual Production – A Crossover – “Me, Myself and I”

“Me, Myself and I” is a show in the “2nd Traditional Arts Festival Flagship Productions” commissioned by the National Center for Traditional Arts.
The troupe invited playwright Shi Ru-fang, director Li Xiao-ping, and talents of different art fields to co-create this production.

The Production Especially for the 30th Anniversary of Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera – The Signature Drama “ Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law”(The Passing-the-Torch version)
Yi-Shin launched the passing-the-torch version of its signature show-“Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law ”celebrating its 30th anniversary. Wu-Song in the classic scene “To Fight Viciously at the Lion Hall” was played by the-then-72-year-old Sun Rong-hui, head of Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe. The famed Peking opera performer, Zhu Lu-hao was invited to play Ximen Qing to costar with Sun’s daughters and disciples whom Mr. Sun passed the torch. Characters collided with each other and received a warm response from the audience.

‡ Important Performances

“The Blessed Child” and “Journey West: Web of Deceit” at Minnan Traditional Art Tour
“Missing Home” at the “ Passing-the-Torch Project” of 2019 Traditional Chinese Theater at Dadaocheng Theater
“Hazardous Games around Hearts and Arrows “ at the Traditional Chinese Theater Performing Group Project organized by the Xin-Xiang Opening Arts Festival
“Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law” at the “Popularization of Traditional Arts” – Private Theater Reshaping Project by National Center For Traditional Arts –
“Treasure Bowl” at the 2019 Taoyuan Arts Tour
“How to Save A Marriage and Ruin Your Life” at the One-Table, Two-Chair, Mobile Stage organized by Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture
“The Story of God of Fortune as A Human Being” at the International Folklore Festival of Tudigong
“Journey West: Web of Deceit” – Arts Festival in Community
“Thousand Years”, Recreating the Classic, 2019 at the Taiwanese Opera Series of the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival
“Sun Bin, Pang Juan and Their Master“ at the Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater
“Hazardous Games around Hearts and Arrows” at Culture on the Move, 2019 Taiwan Expo
The Story of God of Fortune as A Human” at the One Hundred Year of Elegance of Temples of the Taichung Mazu International Sightseeing Festival
“How to Save A Marriage and Ruin Your Life” and “The Lotus Lantern” at the 2019 Penghu Cross-Strait Arts Festival

The Annual Production – The Mind-Blowing “ Thousand Years”

“Thousand Years” was premiered in the Taipei Metropolitan Hall. In 2019, it was selected in the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival and performed in the Dadong Arts Center. This heart-touching sequel of the White Snake is a mind-blowing production celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe. Breaking all moral standards, it explores what our hearts truly feel. The martial arts director/head of the troupe, Mr. Sun Rong-hui added special visual effects and fighting scenes in the movies to add a sense of action to it.

Here Comes the Classics Again to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troup – Duan Xiu
As a show in a series of events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe, Duan Xiu has set many records in Taiwanese opera. It was performed in the Taipei National Theater, and additional shows were added four times per the audience's requests.

★Rewards

* Received the “Best Group Award” for “ Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law” at the Taipei Taiwanese Opera Collective Performances
‡Important Performances
“The Legendary Swordsmith – Ou Ye-Zi” in Taipei City Grant Program for Taiwanese Opera Production and Publication
“International Art Exchange” - “Hazardous Games around Hearts and Arrows” at the Folk Art Festival across Taiwan Strait
“The Ghost Prince Consort- A Tragic Legend of the East” in the Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater

The Annual Production – A Romantic Light Comedy- “Hazardous Games around Hearts and Arrows”

Upon the invitation form the Taipei Arts Festival for the second time, the Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe worked with the European opera director, Lukas Hemleb, and adapted the French writer Pierre Carlet de Marivaux’s work into Taiwanese opera to create "Hazardous Games around Hearts and Arrows." The show was performed at the closing ceremony of the Taipei Arts Festival, creating a new sensation for the Traditional Chinese Theater.

★Awards

* Received the “Best Group Award” for “Sun Bin, Pang Juan and Their Master” at the Taiwanese Opera Collective Performances

‡Important Performances

“Blood Brother” in the Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater*
“International Art Exchange” – Went to Singapore for the third time to participate in the 100th Anniversary Ceremony at the Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple

The Annual Production – A Story of Chivalry and Righteousness –“The Heart in Blade”

“The Heart in Blade” was selected in the “2016 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival” and was performed in the Dadong Arts Center and the Metropolitan Hall in Taipei. It was the 3rd collaboration of Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera and director Lang Zu-yun and is an adaption of Ms. Zhang Man-jun’s short novel, which was based on the legendary story of the Tang Dynasty, “The Story of Xie Xiao-E.” The head of the troupe, Mr. Sun Rong-hui was the martial arts director for the show, who incorporated the movie-style martial arts in the show.
“Where is Mackie?” –The Production at the 2nd Silk Road International Arts Festival in Chuanzhou, China in 2016.
“International Art Exchange” – upon the invitation from the Chuanzhou City Cultural Broadcasting Press and Publication Bureau, Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera participated in this cross-national cultural event to bring this production that incorporated the elements of the west and east theater to the world.

★Awards

The head of the troupe, Mr. Sun Rong-hui won the “20th Taipei Culture Award.”
The Song of Lotus received two nominations at the 27th Golden Melody for Traditional Arts and Music
Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe received the nomination of the “Performance of the Year Award.”
Sun Shi-pei received the nomination of the “Best New Artist Award.”

‡ Important Performances

“Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law” in the Company-in Residence Project at the Dadaoucheng Theater

The Annual Production – A Crossover Project of Literature of Taiwanese Opera -“ The Song of Lotus”

The Song of Lotus was selected in the 2015 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival and was performed in the Dadong Arts Center and the Metropolitan Hall in Taipei. Adapted from a short story “The Song of Lotus” written by Ms. Zhang Man-jun and included in her published book “The Tattoos of Mandarin Duck," “The Song of Lotus” is such an exquisite theater show that created opportunities for collaborations of literature and traditional Chinese theater.

★Awards

The head of the troupe, Mr. Sun Rong-hui was registered as “the Preserver of Traditional Arts and Cultural Assets” by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government.

‡ Important Performances

“Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law” in the Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater
“International Art Exchange” – went to Singapore for the second time to celebrate the birthday of Earl Xianyou of Qingxi at the Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple
“Liao Tian-Ding” at Taipei Traditional Arts Festival

The remake of the 2004 Classic Production – “Liu Ming-chuan”

The production was named “The Railroad on Fanshuding – Liu Ming-chuan” and launched in 2004 to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Taipei City. After ten years, the classic was brought to the stage of the Metropolitan Hall.
Here Comes the Classic Signature Production Again – “Wu Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law”
“Wu-Song Slaying His Sister-in-Law” is a signature production that has been passed down for three generations. It was launched in the “1st Signature Shows Again” organized by the National Center of Traditional Arts in 2004. Mr. Sun Rong-hui acted as the instructor to pass down the show and the director of the show. Furthermore, he played the role of Wu Song in the scene “To Fight Viciously in the Lion Hall” of the show.

★Awards

* “Duan-Xiu” received the nominations at the 25th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music and the 12th Taishin Arts Award.
Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe – “ The Best Group Performance” for Duan-Xiu
Sun Shi-yong received the “Best New Artist” for her performance in Duan Xiu.
The head of the troupe, Mr. Sun Rong-hui won the Local Traditional Chinese Theater Award in the 21st Chinese Culture & Arts Award.

‡ Important Performances

“The Treasure Bowl” in the Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater
“Heart of Tea, “ a story whose background is in Dadaocheng and was in the performance series of the “ 3rd Anniversary of Dadaocheng Theater.
“Indoor Classics – A Joint Performance of the Passing-Down the Signature Dramas” at the 2014 Chunghua Traditional Music & Chinese Theater Festival Presentation & Cross-Strait Folklore Arts Festival.
Duan-Xiu, the Classic Homosexual Love in the Traditional Chinese Theater at the 2014 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival
The 2nd Taichung Earth God Cultural Festival

The Annual Production –A Classic Homosexual Love – Duan Xiu

It is the first time that traditional Chinese theater challenged the taboo issue – homosexual love. It takes the audience to explore the true feelings of human beings through a romantic love beyond death that is the purest but beyond one’s control. It is the first time that Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera worked with professionals from different fields including the talented director, Lang Zu-yun, the famous Kunqu opera artist, Wen Yu-hang, musician Chen Le-rong, and composer, Shan Feng to create this production that set a new record in traditional Chinese theater: to be requested by the audience to add more shows in the same venue.

‡ Important Performances

*“Sun Bin V.S. Pang Juan,” an invitational show at Dadaocheng Theater
* “The Legend of Garuda” was launched.

The Annual Production – Modern and Exquisite Taiwanese Opera – “Where is Mackie?”

Upon the invitation from the Taipei Arts Festival, the Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe based the “Three Pennies Opera” by Bertolt Brecht to create a black comedy of Taiwanese “O-pei-la“ style, stirring up a discussion of the “modern and traditional” features of traditional Chinese theater that year.

★Awards

* The head of the troupe, Mr. Sun Rong-hui received the recognition of the Taipei City Government and won the “2011 Taipei City Outstanding Worker Award.”
* “Where Is Mackie?” was the opening performance at the 14th Taipei Arts Festival and was nominated for the 11th Taishin Arts Award.
‡Important Performances
“International Art Exchange”- Performed in Singapore Hong San See Temple to celebrate the birthday of Jiu Huang Da Di.
“The Ghost Prince Consort- A Tragic Legend of the East” in Company-in Residence Project at Dadaocheng Theater
“To Search for Dragon’s Tears” in the Program for Taiwanese Opera Production and Publication at Dadaocheng Theater.

The Annual Production – The Faust of the East-“The Unrestrained Soul”

A production in celebration of the centennial anniversary of our nation, the Unrestrained Soul did not follow the tradition of the Taiwanese operas, which is to divide good and evil with dualism. The script does not conduct a moral criticism on the characters based on universal principles. It further enhances the function of warning to the audience to hopefully give more room for them to ponder this issue over.