Playwright (1957): TONG Tik-sang (1917-1959)
Script Editors (2022): Rex NG, CHEUNG Kwan-hin

Marriage in tempest
The marriage vow of Princess and Sai-hin coincided with the fall of Ming dynasty in 1644. Romance mingled with the roars of war: “Marriage in times of upheaval must weather storms.” Intimacy gave way to calamities knocking at the door in a run-up to darkness.

Palacen fire
LEI Zi-sing broke into Peking. Emperor Sung-zing ordered the hanging of his wife and concubine and tried and hand-killed his daughters, before hanging himself as self-reprimand.The usurper was in turn usurped. Before long the Manchurians replaced him and established the Qing dynasty.

Life harsher than death
Princess Coeng-ping had been saved by the government official ZAU Zung, and was now living a life harsher than death. When stirring strains visit one after another, what options are left? ZAU and his son chose to betray Princess to climb upwards; Coeng-ping chose to die for filial and political piety; ZAU’s daughter chose to secretly help Princess out, setting up for her to disguise as a nun in a nunnery.

Our past?
What a Heavenly set-up. Sai-hin passed by the nunnery and saw Princess dressed as a nun. "Though the warring fires are quietened, northern winds still rage on." She dared not admit her true identity. After repeated persuasions in vain, he threatened to suicide, bringing about her admittance, "In vain are my endless denials"

Confrontation
Sai-hin took ZAU to Princess, who mistook Sai-hin to be a guy after money and power. So, a deepest confrontation was on show. Sai-hin had a high-risk strategy: "A secret scheme is pulled off. Who is after the new reign and betraying the old?"

Dignity and Hope
When they were finally alone, he disclosed his scheme: given the late emperor was not yet buried and the crown prince still in custody, "Princess could well sell for a good price. Our royal wedding is the only way” to exchange for "a proper burial of the late emperor" for his and the kingdom's dignity, and “freeing the crown prince," to give the kingdom a thread of hope.

Impossible strike-back
Coeng-ping wrote her petition. Sai-hin carried it into the Palace. He gamed with the Qing emperor, publicly reading aloud the text, "Three hundred years of splendor are gone in three days; the blood from my heart fills these seven lines…,” appealing to the Ming officials and people. The emperor gave his approval, without the intention to honour it.

Plan B
The Princess returned to the palace, "I fear to see bloodstains in Kin-cing Palace, recognizable despite wear and tear." Plan B "Pricess's wailing shakes the capital" embarrassed everybody. In a rush the emperor decreed for proper burial of the former emperor and freeing the crown prince.

Raining petals obscure moonlight
"Death, Don't be haughty!" Life is dear; love is even dearer. In the face of mission, both can be scrapped. During their wedding, they committed suicide as martyrs for their country and their love: "Raining petals obscure the moonlight… Husband and wife die together like the trunks of these trees."

Floral Princess 65th Anniversary
a series of 9 events
Floral Princess | Professional Edition
ArenA | Write on, as THE tribute to YAM-PAK-TONG
Floral Princess | Theatre Student Edition
Floral Princess | Theatrical Concert Student Edition
Floral Princess | Recital Student Edition
Call Loud Yeah! | Black Box Theatre Festival
Seoi-bo-long Video Festival
A Collection of Coeng-ping Images 65
Raining Petals: An Orchestral Re-imagining