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Shanghai Yueju Opera Theater A Dream of the Red Mansions
Date: April 14-17-7:30 pm
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts
Lonely valetudinarian Lin Daiyu goes to her maternal grandmother's house-the Jia's mansion-for shelter and becomes intimate with her elder male cousin Jia Baoyu. In the Grand View Garden, Jia and Lin are not tied to aristocratic family rules. They read The Romance of West Chamber, which deepens their love for each other. Jia Baoyu's father Jia Zheng holds high hopes for him, but Jia Baoyu shows contempt for high official positions and riches and takes a stand against feudal traditions. Hence, Lin takes him into her confidence. Jia Zheng cannot tolerate his son's rebellion and beats him. As Jia Baoyu recovers, Lin visits him, and it happens that Qing Wen (Jia Baoyu's servant girl), who feels upset, gives a "cold shoulder" to Lin, causing a misunderstanding between Lin and Jia Baoyu. Seeing flowers falling like snow, Lin feels depressed, so she buries petals and writes an elegy to express her sadness. Hearing it, Jia Baoyu reveals his love for her. However, for the benefit of the Jia Family and for the sake of marrying Xue Baochai to Jia Baoyu.