A Triumphant Return from International Tour
A deeply moving performance that sings of a forbidden love that touches us all.
Mr. Shi and His Lover reinterprets a sensational real-life espionage case that shocked the world through a unique musical theatre format. The story follows French diplomat Bernard Boursicot who falls in love with Peking opera performer Shi Pei Pu, who later claims to be pregnant with Boursicot's child. Their 20-year-long Sino-French romance ends when Boursicot is arrested by the French government for leaking classified documents to China. During the trial, the spy lover "Mr. Shi" is revealed to be a man.
Creative Team & Style
- Directed by: Macau director Tam Chi Chuen
- Written by: Wong Ting Chi
- Music by: Yeung Kwong Kei
- Inspired by the story M. Butterfly, the production abandons the narrative style of mainstream musicals.
- It uses song and monologue to dissect the characters' inner worlds after arrest, exploring themes of lies, betrayal, nationality, and identity.
Performers & Music
- Featuring: Cheng Kwan Chi (active in Hong Kong and Macau stages) and Canadian performer Henry Kwan.
- Their vocals blend nostalgic pop, Peking opera, and Western opera to vividly portray the inner worlds of the Eastern and Western characters.
- The music combines Chinese opera instruments (gongs, clappers, wooden fish) with Western instruments (piano, marimba), creating a diverse, cross-cultural soundscape.
Production & Accolades
- A collaborative masterpiece between Macau's Little City Experimental Theatre and Toronto's Music Picnic.
- Refined over five years, it was invited for a 50-show tour in Canada to great acclaim.
- This marks its highly anticipated premiere in the Chinese-speaking region.
Critical Acclaim
- "Skillfully brings the audience into the inner world of the characters." — Theatre master Robert Lepage
- "Took four to five years to create, showing that a world-class production is no easy feat!" — Renowned critic Zhou Fanfu
- "The uniqueness of the play lies in its complete deconstruction and重组 of the story." — Canada's Modern Magazine
Awards & Recognition
Winner of the 2018 Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards
- Best New Musical
- Best Musical Performance
- Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Selected by Canada's The Globe and Mail as one of the Top 10 Theatre Productions of 2017
Nominated for the 2018 Canadian Dora Awards
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding New Musical/Opera
- Outstanding Musical Direction
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor (Cheng Kwan Chi & Henry Kwan)
