The first show of the 2024 Taichung Traditional Arts Tour, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government, will take place in the Mountain Line region on June 2 (Sunday). The Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company will grace the stage at the Huludun Cultural Center, presenting the classic opera The Dilemma Between Justice and Relationships. This performance combines the expertise of veteran performers with the vitality of emerging talents, blending traditional opera with contemporary Western musical elements on a modern stage. Audiences can expect a unique theatrical experience that evokes the nostalgia of ancient melodies and a visually stunning feast.
Director Chen Chia-chun of the Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that since 2010, the Traditional Arts Tour has brought high-quality performances to various districts of Taichung City, receiving enthusiastic and positive feedback from the public. The 2024 Taichung Traditional Arts Tour will feature six performances by excellent performing groups in the Mountain Line and Coastal Line regions, Xitun District, and the downtown areas from May to November. The Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company, which has drawn nearly ten thousand attendees during past performances at the Huludun Cultural Center, will kick off the first show with their long-standing classic The Dilemma Between Justice and Relationships. A variety of exciting programs will follow in other districts, and everyone is welcome to join in.
According to the Huludun Cultural Center, The Dilemma Between Justice and Relationships was the first large-scale Taiwanese opera performed by the Holo Taiwanese Opera Troupe at the National Theater Hall in 1991. Known for its innovative plot and stage design, the production's artistic significance earned it a place as a model play in National Taiwan College of Performing Arts. Now, 30 years later, the performance aims to merge tradition with modernity by blending Eastern Taiwanese opera melodies with Western symphonic elements. The piece has been redesigned for contemporary audiences, featuring the National Award for Arts recipients and renowned Taiwanese opera performers Tang Mei-yun and Ms. Xiao Mi. They will lead a cast of seasoned and emerging actors to bring this classic back to life.
The Dilemma Between Justice and Relationships tells the story of Liu Chien-ping, who is raised and mentored by the Minister of Justice, Yen Hui. Appointed as the Inspector of Huguang and set to marry Yen Hui's daughter, Liu Chien-ping is stopped by a fisherman named Chang Fan, who pleads for justice. Liu Chien-ping discovers that his future brother-in-law, Yen Pai-chu, had forcibly taken a woman as his wife and accidentally killed someone. Initially, Liu Chien-ping rules in favor of his brother-in-law, but Yen Pai-chu attempts to silence him by throwing him into a lake. However, Liu Chien-ping is rescued and, despite the risk of being accused of biased judgment and deceiving the emperor, he courageously reopens the case to ensure justice is served.
In addition to the performance, the Cultural Affairs Bureau's Civil Service Ethics Office will set up a booth at the venue to promote integrity. They will show anti-corruption videos, host online quizzes with prizes, and offer interactive games to raise public awareness of integrity and enhance the fun of parent-child participation.