2026 marks the start of the 70th Anniversary of the YPT golden trio: YAM Kim-fai, PAK Suet-sin and TONG Tik-sang. The Dream Series embarks on a cross-disciplinary adventure of creativity and the inner self, with more projects to come…

The Deepest Tribute to YPT Is to Keep Creating
Utopia’s original Canto-opera ArenA marks its 15th anniversary with its seventh staging. On its journey of creating original Canto-opera, Utopia has always begun with the classics, seeking ways to connect them with the contemporary world. This year is both a commemoration and a profound reflection within the Dream Series.

Two Heroes Rise from the Lands of Jing and Chu
One is XIANG Yu, the Hegemon-King; the other, HAN Xin, the God of War. Both young and audacious, both with the world in their hearts, both believing they could change their times. Yet heroes do not always walk the same path. XIANG Yu met his end by the Wu River; HAN Xin, at Weiyang Palace.

Without HAN Xin, perhaps XIANG Yu would never have bid farewell to his beloved and taken his own life, nor would LIU Bang have founded a dynasty of lasting glory. Once the Han realm was secured, was HAN Xin already destined to die? For more than two thousand years, his death has remained a historical mystery with no certain truth. On stage, stories are naturally woven from both truth and fiction. Tracing HAN Xin’s footsteps through the final twenty-four hours of his life, when the “God of Death” encounters the “God of War”, might death have shown mercy?

This production specially invites renowned cross-disciplinary artist QIU Jirong, whose distinctive fusion of “Dance × Peking Opera” evokes XIANG Yu’s tragic and heroic journey, from the warrior of “strength that could uproot mountains” to his final moments at the Wu River, opening a dialogue with HAN Xin across time and space, life and death, fate and destiny. Over the years, QIU has continually broken through the established boundaries of Peking Opera performance, seeking new possibilities between tradition and the contemporary; just as Utopia has continued to reimagine the classics and create anew, venturing beyond them in search of new artistic paths across disciplines.

An Unfinished Dream Is Never a Journey in Vain
On stage, HAN Xin and XIANG Yu pursue dreams of changing the world; beyond the stage, artists pursue a dream of keeping traditional art moving forward. Fifteen years on, ArenA looks back at its heroes, and is dedicated to all those who have not given up.

Lead Performers
HONG Hai* (11.28, 12.5), LEUNG Siu-ming (12.12), QIU Jirong (Dance x Peking Opera), Susanna CHENG, LI Pui-yan, MO Huamin, Gregory KWOK, NG Lap-hei

Performed in Cantonese with English and Chinese surtitles.
Approx. 2 hrs 35 mins (plus 15-min interval). Actual duration may vary.
In adverse circumstances Organizer can change the programme and artists.

Date(7:45pm) : 11.28、12.5、12.12
Venue : The Theatre, East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC)
Ticket Price (HK$): $538, 488, 388, 288

Cityline Tckets available
Click here to buy tickets

Dream Series
Peony Pavilion · Mirror Awakening
HK Musical Dreams｜Theatre Concert
Peony Pavilion 70｜Elegant Youth Edition
ArenA｜Original Canto-opera 15th Anniversary
Take Flight Together｜Youth Showcase
THE INTERVENTION: Dream On!｜Heritage Theatre
Chasing Dreams Through Tenement Houses｜Cultural Guided Tour
Beyond the Golden Circlet｜Artist-in-Residence Exhibition