The Covetousness is a rare treasure of Kunqu (Chinese Opera), revived from a little-performed scene in The Nanke Dream, one of the most celebrated classical plays of the Ming dynasty. Nearly lost to time, the piece survived only through fragmentary manuscripts and scattered oral accounts. Our team spent months researching surviving scores and archival traces to reconstruct the work with rigorous historical care and reimagine it with a vivid contemporary theatrical language. Following its 2025 appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this revival continues its international tour.

Set in a dreamlike world where loyalty collides with destiny, the story unfolds through striking physical movement, expressive gesture and rich musicality. Performed by a Huadan (female warrior role) and Hualian (painted-face male role), it presents an unusual and compelling pairing seldom seen in today’s Chinese opera.

Performed in a traditional Chinese operatic vocal style with Chinese and English surtitles, the piece blends traditional operatic singing with clear, modern staging. Whether you are discovering Chinese opera for the first time or returning as a long-time admirer, this is a visually captivating and accessible introduction to one of the world’s most refined dramatic traditions.