Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company’s 2024 production, Tavern by the Lethe: A Lost Actress, continues the characters and background settings from the television series, launching a brandnew story. The “Diamond Trio” of Taiwanese opera—TANG Mei-yun, HSU Hsiu-nien, and Hsiao-mi—along with the leading laosheng (elder male role) of the GuoGuang Opera Company, TANG Wen-hua, will once again join forces for this performance. The original cast of the tavern’s quirky staff from the television series, including TSAI Chen-nan, FANG Hsin, FANG Yu-hsin, and others, will once again bring their characters to life on stage.

The original production of Tavern by the Lethe in 2018 by Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company marked a novel blend of Taiwanese opera and musical theater. The production adopts a modern perspective to depict stories of travelers at Meng Po’s tavern by the River Lethe, entangled in memories before reincarnation. In 2021, the television adaptation won the Golden Bell Award for Best Innovation Program.

The new theatrical version tells the story of WAN Qian-fan, the owner of Meng Po’s tavern in the underworld, who investigates a mysterious disappearance in a locked room. The missing person is the head of the Ming Xing Opera Troupe, poised for reincarnation after drinking the soup of forgetfulness. During the investigation, the characters unexpectedly traverse into a martial arts world within a book, where Qian-fan falls into the hands of a demonic cult leader. This whimsical martial arts tale unfolds with a star-studded cast from both traditional opera and television, embarking on a daring adventure.

Artistic Director / TANG Mei-yun

Born into a family of Taiwanese opera performers, TANG Mei-yun is the daughter of the famous opera artist CHIANG Wu-tung. She has been performing since the age of 15, across various platforms including outdoor stages, television, theater, and film. TANG has portrayed a wide range of roles, with particular expertise in young male leads, aged male roles, and jesters. Her comprehensive and robust background in Taiwanese opera is evident in her singing, acting, recitation, and combat skills. She has been awarded the Best Young Male Lead Award at the Local Drama Competition for two consecutive years and was named one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Women in the 17th National Awards. In 2018, she received the National Cultural Award from the Executive Yuan, and in 2012, she was honored with the 16th National Award for Arts.

Special Cameo / TANG Wen-hwa

Born in 1961, originally named TANG Ching-hwa, he graduated from Fu Hsing School of Dramatics (now the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts). TANG has performed with the Hai Guang, Lu Guang, and Fu Hsing Peking Opera troupes and is currently the lead laosheng (elder male role) actor at the GuoGuang Opera Company. He was mentored by HU Shao-an, the foremost of Taiwan’s four great laosheng masters. TANG has received the Armed Forces Golden Statue Awards for Literature and Art for Best Male Lead, the Literary Award, the SGI Cultural Award, and the Global Chinese Culture & Arts Award. His notable works include traditional operas such as Bead-Curtain Fortress, The Snow Jade Cup, Four Scholars, and The Orphan of Chao Family. He has also starred in modern adaptations like Journey Through Hell, Hu Shiue-Yan and Sunlight after Snowfall.

Lead / HSU Hsiu-nien

Renowned as one of the most celebrated Dan (female role) actresses in Taiwanese Opera, HSU began her stage career at the tender age of five. She captivated audiences during the golden age of Taiwanese opera TV shows, earning the nickname “the eternal wife” for her performances. In recent years, HSU has primarily focused on theater productions, where her mesmerizing stage presence continues to shine. Her bright voice, graceful movements, and professional acting consistently win the hearts of her audience, solidifying her status as the queen of contemporary Taiwanese opera.

Lead / Hsiao-mi

Hsiao-mi was born into a family of Taiwanese opera performers and joined the E-sha Musical Theater Troupe at the age of 14. During the 1960s and 1970s, she rose to fame, becoming a star performer renowned throughout Southeast Asia. Later, she transitioned to Taiwanese opera theater, marking the second phase of her performing career. With her solid foundation in performing, she excels in portraying a wide range of roles, including male, female, and jesters, making her a versatile actress. In 2016, she won the Best Actor Award at the 27th Golden Melody Award for Traditional Arts and Music. In 2020, the Ministry of Culture recognized her as a Cultural Advocate and Heritage Preservationist for Taiwanese opera, and in 2023, she received the 23rd National Award for Arts.

Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company

With its mission of passing on the torch of Taiwanese opera by finding a new path, Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company is committed to elevating traditional opera to the level of fine art. The troupe not only enlists excellent senior actors in the field but also cultivate new talents. Over the course of 25 years, the company has been committed to the production of sophisticated and exquisite shows which explore possibility of interdisciplinary collaboration while preserving the traditional essence of Taiwanese opera.  

Creative Team

Artistic Director & Producer / TANG Mei-yun

Director / DAI Jun-fang*

Playwright / CHEN Jian-xing

Costume Designer / HUANG Wen-ying

Stage Designer / Samuel WANG

Video Designer / WANG Yei-sheng

Lighting Designer / QIU Yi-xin

Music Designer & Conductor / JI Jun-da

Vocal Composer / CHEN Xin-han

Choreography / CHANG Yi-chun

Photographer / CAI Rong-feng

Stage Manager / LIU Yi-ting

Actor / TANG Mei-yun, TANG Wen-hua (Special Cameo)*, HSU Hsiu-nien, Hsiao-mi, TSAI Chen-nan, FANG Hsin, HSU Fu-kai, FANG Yu-hsin and Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company

*Support by GuoGuang Opera Company

Corporate Partner｜