Born with an uncanny birthmark, a baby girl is deemed ill-fated by her father. She is cast into a lotus pond, only to be saved by an immortal and later taken in by a kind-hearted woman. Eighteen years on, she has grown into a maiden. When her adoptive mother loses her sight, the young girl sets out alone into the mountains in search of a cure. There, she crosses paths with her saviour once again, and undergoes a series of trials. In time, she attains enlightenment, taking her place among the so called Eight Immortals – she is known as He Xiangu.
Drawing on the legend of He Xiangu, Lotus Heart reimagines her journey towards eternity. Rather than conveying the familiar ensemble of Eight Immortals, the opera centres on her alone. From being abandoned at birth to showing filial devotion, her journey features encounters with destiny and the path to transcendence. Along the way, her choices reveal her steadfast inner goodness and the lasting bonds between the human and the divine.
Starring renowned Cantonese opera artists Chu Chan Wa and Mok Weng Lam, alongside a cast of local performers, the production showcases the full range of traditional role types. Remarkably, it blends singing and stylised movement with stage and costume designs, uniting tradition and innovation for a vivid, engaging theatrical experience.
Executive Producer, Director and Lead Performer: Chu Chan Wa
Executive Director and Lead Performer: Mok Weng Lam
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one interval
Performed in Cantonese, with surtitles in Chinese and English
Lotus Heart