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China's student-led Peony Pavilion debuts in Taiwan to sold-out crowds

Fifty untrained students brought a 400-year-old masterpiece to life—proving tradition can thrive in young hands. Taiwan's sold-out crowd roared for more.

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1 min read
The image shows a group of people wearing costumes and performing a Chinese opera. The person in...
The image shows a group of people wearing costumes and performing a Chinese opera. The person in the center of the image is wearing a colorful costume with intricate details and a crown on their head. The other people in the group are also wearing colorful costumes with intricate designs and patterns. They are all smiling and appear to be having a great time.

China's student-led Peony Pavilion debuts in Taiwan to sold-out crowds

A special campus edition of the Kunqu Opera classic The Peony Pavilion made its Taiwan debut on Thursday. Performed entirely by college students from mainland China, the show marked the first time this youth-focused version reached the island. Over 900 tickets, priced between 300 and 1,500 New Taiwan dollars, sold out quickly.

The production reflects a growing trend of young people engaging with traditional Chinese culture. It also celebrates two decades since the youth version of the opera first premiered in Taipei.

The campus performance is an abridged adaptation of the original nine-hour production, which typically unfolds over three days. This shorter version was developed to introduce Kunqu to university audiences. Since its 2004 premiere, the youth edition has toured more than a dozen universities, building a reputation as a cultural brand passed between generations.

Fifty students from 29 mainland universities were selected for the project, despite most having little prior training in Kunqu. They underwent nearly nine months of intensive coaching before staging the production in Suzhou in April 2025. The Taipei performance follows that run, bringing the opera to a new audience.

Taiwan's enthusiasm for Kunqu, particularly among young people, has remained strong over the past 20 years. However, no local universities have consistently participated in youth Kunqu programs or performances during this time. The campus edition represents a fresh approach to cultural exchange, with students taking the lead in preserving and promoting the art form.

The sold-out show highlights the enduring appeal of The Peony Pavilion among younger audiences. By training and featuring college students, the project offers a new way to pass down traditional Kunqu opera. Organisers hope the model will inspire further collaborations across universities in the years ahead.

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