Chinese Culture Festival 2026: Drama The Code of The Dynasty by Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
Programme DetailsAbout the arts groupProduction Team and CastSharing SessionsExhibitionTicketing and EnquiriesOnline Registration
The grand city scenes depicted in the famous ancient painting Along the River During Qingming Festival are used as the stage play’s plot layout and are instrumental in unfolding the mysterious happenings in the ‘Plum Boat Case’ and the ‘Eight Scholars Case’. Based on Ye Wenbiao's novel The Code of The Dynasty, the work reveals the inner conspiracies among scholarly officials evolving behind the harmonious façade during the Northern Song dynasty. The narrative elaborates how the protagonist, Zhao Buyou, investigates the underlying mysteries. Filled with twists and excitement, the play is also unique in showcasing exquisite aesthetics of the prosperous era. This is the first time for Hong Kong audiences to experience this grand visual feast.
In Putonghua with Chinese and English surtitles.
The performance will run for about 2 hours and 45 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.
Audience below 6 will not be admitted.
Members of the audience are strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecomers and those who leave their seats during the performance will only be admitted and allowed to return to their seats respectively during the intermission or at a suitable break. The presenters reserve the right to refuse admission of latecomers, or determine the time and manner of admission of latecomers.
The presenters reserve the right to change the programme and substitute artists.
The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Jointly presented by Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Bauhinia Culture Group Corporation Limited
Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
Established in 1995, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre (SDAC) is the only national theatre in Shanghai. With seven stages spreading across four different locations in the city centre, SDAC manages venues of various sizes and focuses, including two stages in Shanghai International Dance Centre (SIDC), which opened in 2016. SDAC's flexibility and dynamism makes it one of the leading performing arts institutions in the flourishing cultural landscape in China.
SDAC features its own artistic ensemble to work with both young and established directors and playwrights, who create over forty productions for more than 800 performances and 300,000 audiences every year. Since 2016, SDAC has paid close attention to the emergence of young generation of playwrights by developing a Chinese New Writing incubation programme, which actively complements regular workshops and masterclasses designed for a new generation of Chinese theatre artists.
Production team
Cast
Produced by: Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
Producer: Zhang Huiqing
Chief Producer: Tian Shui
Artistic Director: Yu Rongjun
Co-Producer: He Nian
Executive Producer: Wu Jia
Original Author: Ye Wenbiao
Playwright: Ma Nan
Director: Wang Junye
Stage Designer: Shen Li
Composer: Lyu Liang
Lighting Designer: Tan Hua
Multimedia Designer: Hu Tianji
Costume & Makeup Designer: Xu Congting
Props Designer: Shao Zhendong
Sound Designer: Qiao Guodong
Technical Designer: Xu Xiangen
Assistant Director: Yang Heping
Stage Managers: Zhu Xingyu, Lu Ping
Assistant Producer: Qin Tao
Zhao Buyou : He Ping
Gu Zhen : Wang Weishuai
Zhao Ban'er : Li Yuqing
Zheng Dun (Dunzi) : Guo Lin
Lang Fan (Jianzi) : Lyu You
Tian Kuang (Qizi) : Wang Yenong
Jian Zhuang (Fuzi) : Zhang Shan
Zhang Mei (Cezi) : Bai Zhuoming
Le Zhihe (Qinzi) : Li Yitong
Song Qiyu (Kuizi) : Tang Yize
Jiang Dunian (Mozi) : Zhang Dayu
Jian Zhen : Yi Rui
Douge / Soldier : Le Chen
He Sainiang : Li Mengtong
Ying'er / Qing'er : Meng Yikun
Lian Guan / Madam Jiang : Wang Xuanran
Liang Waiqi / Soldier : Wang Yanda
Zhang Zeduan : Yang Jiaqi
Jian Zhen : Yi Rui
Soldier / Lin Lingsu / Two Ghost Wrestling Performer : Zhang Xiyue
(The cast is subject to change without prior notice.)
Ancient Makeup, Costume And Etiquette Sharing Session
Date: 1.7.2026 (Wed)
Time: 4pm
Venue: GR1, Level 6, Backstage of Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket Price: Free admission (Limited quota, seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration required.)
Guest Speakers: Costume & Makeup Designer - Xu Congting, Costume and makeup operation - Wu Yuanyuan, Actors - Li Yitong (Qinzi) and Meng Yikun (Ying'er)
Content: Sharing of Costume, make-up and etiquette of Northern Song Dynasty
In Putonghua
Main Cast and Creative Team Exchange Session
Date: 1.7.2026 (Wed)
Time: 7pm
Venue: GR1, Level 6, Backstage of Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket Price: Free admission (Limited quota, seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration required.)
Guest Speakers: Director - Wang Junye, Playwright - Ma Nan, Actors - He Ping (Zhao Buyou) and Li Yuqing (Zhao Ban'er)
Content: The director, playwright, and the "detective sibling duo"'s sharing with the audience the onstage and behind-the-scenes stories and creative process
In Putonghua
(The guest speakers are subject to change without prior notice.)
“Timeless Song Elegance” Exhibition
Date: 1 – 6.7.2026 ( Wed - Mon)
Venue: Foyer, G/F, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket Price: Free admission
Chinese Culture Festival 2026: Drama The Code of The Dynasty by Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
Tickets are available from 14 April at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on internet, by mobile app URBTIX (Android, HarmonyOS and iPhone/iPad versions) and telephone.
Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. Tickets for CSSA recipients are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Concessionary ticket holders must produce evidence of their identity or age upon admission.
"Chinese Culture Festival 2026" Discount Scheme #
❖Limited-Time Offer (14 April – 30 April)
Group Booking Discount 15% discount for each purchase of 4-9 tickets 20% discount for each purchase of 10-29 tickets 30% discount for each purchase of 30 or more tickets
Package Booking Discount 15% discount on each purchase of standard tickets for 3-4 different programmes 20% discount on each purchase of standard tickets for 5-6 different programmes 30% discount on each purchase of standard tickets for 7 or more different programmes
"Generation Together 1+1" Discount
15% discount on standard tickets for each purchase of 1 standard ticket and 1 student/ senior concessionary ticket of the same performance
Group Booking Discount (from 1 May) 10% discount for each purchase of 4-9 tickets 15% discount for each purchase of 10-29 tickets 25% discount for each purchase of 30 or more tickets
Package Booking Discount (from 1 May) 10% discount on each purchase of standard tickets for 3-4 different programmes 15% discount on each purchase of standard tickets for 5-6 different programmes 25% discount on each purchase of standard tickets for 7 or more different programmes
"Generation Together 1+1" Discount (from 1 May)
10% discount on standard tickets for each purchase of 1 standard ticket and 1 student/ senior concessionary ticket of the same performance
Museum Pass Holders can enjoy 10% off discount for each purchase of 1 or more standard ticket. Please present valid physical or electronic Museum Pass upon purchase tickets at URBTIX outlets.
# Only applicable to tickets for stage programmes, Chinese Opera Festival 2026: Chinese Opera Film Shows and Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters. Discount is only available for tickets for Musical Pan Yu Lin by Actors’ Family and Children Arts Tech Music Theatre 5 Elements East West by Zuni Icosahedron purchased through URBTIX on a first-come, first-served basis.
Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discount offers for each ticket purchased. Please inform the box office staff at the time of purchase.
For more discount details of Chinese Culture Festival 2026, please visit the website of Chinese Culture Festival
Programme Enquiries: 2268 7325
Ticketing Enquiries and Customer Service：3166 1100
