From September 16 to October 16, 2025, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Culture and Arts Festival will be held across 11 cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao. Now in its fifth edition, the festival brings together performing arts, exhibitions, lectures, and cultural exchanges.
Here are some of the festival’s productions — a diverse lineup of drama, musicals, acrobatics, Cantonese opera, Peking opera, Yu opera, Yue opera, and Kun opera, featuring international classics, award-winning adaptations, and innovative new works. From solo performances to large-scale stage spectacles, the festival highlights both global theatre artistry and the living heritage of traditional Chinese opera.
1. Drama February 29th
Time: August 29th - August 31st, 19:30
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院·实验剧场)
Introduction: February 29th is a one-person show created by Li Yuliang from Macao, the winner of the Cao Yu Script Award (China’s highest honor for theatre writing). The play tells the story of an old woman born on February 29th who hopes her children will accompany her on her birthday. Full of laughter and ending in tears, it has gained an excellent reputation during its years of touring.
2. Drama Skylight
Time: August 29th, 19:30; August 30th, 14:30 & 19:30
Venue: Bay Opera of Shenzhen (深圳滨海艺术中心)
Introduction: The drama Skylight, written by British playwright David Hare and directed by Oscar-nominated director Stephen Daldry, features a Cantonese version that closely reflects real life and contains highly emotionally charged dialogue. It explores the conflicts between love and values through the reunion of former lovers.
3. Drama Eugene Onegin
Time: September 11th - September 12th, 19:30
Venue: Bay Opera of Shenzhen (深圳滨海艺术中心)
Introduction: Adapted from Pushkin’s eponymous verse novel, Eugene Onegin is directed by theater master Rimas Tuminas and produced by the Moscow Vakhtangov Theatre. It presents the emotional entanglement between Onegin and Tatyana, tracing their relationship from love and rejection to reunion and regret.
4. Drama Uncle Vanya
Time: September 13th - September 14th, 14:30
Venue: Bay Opera of Shenzhen (深圳滨海艺术中心)
Introduction: The play tells the story of emotional and life crises that unfold on a rural farm after a professor and his wife arrive. It perfectly embodies the enduring charm of Chekhov’s dramas and is filled with compassion for human nature and life.
5. Musical Looking for Li Ergou(寻找李二狗)
Time: September 13th, 19:30; September 14th, 15:00
Venue: Guangdong Arts Theatre
Time: September 19th - September 20th, 19:30
Venue: Foshan Performing Arts Center (Qionghua Grand Theatre) 佛山市演艺中心(琼花大剧院)
Introduction: This musical is the first in China themed around the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953). It tells the story of a contemporary youth who travels through time to find his grandfather’s comrades. In this journey, he lives as a soldier, enduring many battles and highlighting the cruelty of war.
6. Drama Age Is a Feeling
Time: September 16th - September 17th, 19:30
Venue: Zhusigang Studio Theatre of Guangdong Drama Art Theatre (广东省话剧院·竹丝岗小剧场)
This one-person stage play Age Is a Feeling was created by Canadian Haley McGee. Using age as a medium, it tells 12 stories from a woman’s life to explore her relationship with herself.
7. Drama Protagonist
Time: September 18th - September 19th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Friendship Theatre (广东省友谊剧院)
Introduction: Adapted from Chen Yan’s eponymous novel—winner of the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize (China’s highest literary award)—Protagonist is a realistic drama. It follows the fates of generations of Qinqiang Opera artists (a traditional folk opera from Shaanxi Province) and reflects the historical context of the development of traditional Chinese culture.
8. DramaThe Yellow Storm
Time: September 19th - September 20th, 19:30
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院·歌剧厅)
Introduction: Produced by the National Theatre of China, The Yellow Storm is adapted from Lao She’s classic novel. It features an all-star cast performing the experiences of three families in Xiaoyangjuan Hutong during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), showcasing the resilience of ordinary people.
9. Drama Alley-Oop
Time: September 27th, 14:30 & 19:30
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院·歌剧厅)
Introduction: Alley-Oop tells the story of a women’s basketball team established by Sanshan Girls’ School in Guangdong during the Republic of China era (1912-1949). It innovates with a new form of “playing basketball on stage”, combining stage design and lighting to showcase the passion of women breaking through hardships and pursuing freedom.
10. Drama Sealed Off
Time: October 4th, 14:30 & 19:30; October 5th, 19:30
Venue: Zhusigang Studio Theatre of Guangdong Drama Art Theatre (广东省话剧院·竹丝岗小剧场)
Introduction: Inspired by Eileen Chang’s eponymous novel, Sealed Off is an original drama set on a high-speed train that is unexpectedly blocked. The male and female protagonists, trapped in the same space, engage in cross-temporal dialogue with characters from the novel. Amid this suspended time, they strive to break through their predicament.
11. Acrobatic Drama Tianshan Snow
Time: October 6th, 19:30; October 7th, 14:30
Venue: Guangdong Friendship Theatre (广东省友谊剧院)
Introduction: Tianshan Snow weaves together 70 years of stories about aiding Xinjiang through 13 acrobatic acts. It integrates traditional acrobatic techniques and intangible cultural heritage, while using technology to create an immersive experience.
12. Musical Molière
Time: October 9th - October 11th, 19:30; October 12th, 14:00 & 19:30
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院·歌剧厅)
Introduction: Molière is a French musical by renowned producer Dove Attia. It presents a contemporary, urban-style opera about the life of Molière (one of history’s greatest playwrights), celebrated for his classic comedies and theatrical genius.
13. Cantonese Opera Eternal Agilawood
Time: September 5th - September 6th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Cantonese Opera Art Center (广东粤剧艺术中心)
Introduction: This production takes Cantonese Opera as its medium and centers on “Guanxiang” (a traditional concept of “daughter’s fragrance” in Cantonese culture). It tells love and national stories spanning six generations over a thousand years, preserving Cantonese Opera traditions while incorporating modern elements.
14. Peking Opera Farewell My Concubine
Time: September 13th, 19:30
Venue: Foshan Grand Theatre (佛山大剧院)
Time: September 20th, 20:00
Venue: Zhuhai Jinwan Art Center (珠海金湾艺术中心)
Time: October 14th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Friendship Theatre(广东省友谊剧院)
Introduction: This Peking opera is a classic of the Mei School (a major school of Peking Opera founded by Mei Lanfang), adapted from The Chu-Han Contention. Shi Yihong, a leading female role in the Mei School and a national first-class actor, will bring Concubine Yu to life with her masterful performance, showcasing the artistry of the Mei School.
15. Peking Opera The Unicorn Purse
Time: September 14th, 19:30
Venue: Foshan Grand Theatre (佛山大剧院)
Time: October 15th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Friendship Theatre (广东省友谊剧院)
Introduction: As a classic of the Cheng School (a renowned school of Peking Opera founded by Cheng Yanqiu), this work is adapted from a script by Weng Ouhong. Shi Yihong will portray Xue Xiangling, a wealthy young woman whose fate takes a dramatic turn, using rhythmic librettos and delicate acting to convey compassion in the world.
16. Immersive Small-Theatre Yu Opera On Qingfeng Pavilion
Time: September 19th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Cantonese Opera Art Center (广东粤剧艺术中心)
Introduction: This immersive small-theatre Yu Opera (a major traditional opera from Henan Province), On Qingfeng Pavilion, is created by a team led by renowned Yu Opera artist Li Shujian. The play explores human nature and condemns ingratitude, using the intimate small-theatre setting to deliver a powerful immersive experience.
17. Immersive Small-Theatre Yu Opera Cheng Ying Rescues the Orphan
Time: September 20th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Cantonese Opera Art Center (广东粤剧艺术中心)
Introduction: Written by Chen Yongquan, this Yu Opera tells the story of Cheng Ying, who risks his life to protect the orphan of the Zhao family—an iconic tale of loyalty in Chinese history—demonstrating the spirit of national justice.
18. Cantonese Opera The Blaze of Battle(决战之燎原)
Time: October 4th - October 5th, 19:30; October 6th, 14:30
Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theatre (深圳保利剧院)
Introduction: The play integrates the essence of traditional Cantonese opera with online game elements, creating an innovative fusion of traditional and modern art.
19. Cantonese Opera Samsui Women
Time: October 14th - October 15th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Cantonese Opera Art Center (广东粤剧艺术中心)
Introduction: It is the first work in China to showcase the history of Chinese female migrant workers. It reproduces the story of women from Sanshui, Foshan, Guangdong, who went to Southeast Asia to earn a living, demonstrating their tenacity and integrity.
20. Yue Opera Dream of the Red Chamber
Time: October 14th - October 15th, 19:30
Venue: Opera Hall, Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院·歌剧厅)
Introduction: This Yue Opera (a classic traditional opera from Zhejiang Province) is adapted from China’s literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber. Centering on the love story between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, it selects key plots from the novel to reflect the spiritual essence of the original work.
21. Kun Opera Youth Version of The Peony Pavilion (Highlights Version)
Time: October 17th, 19:30
Venue: Guangdong Arts Theatre (广东艺术剧院)
Introduction: Co-created by Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre and Bai Xianyong, the Youth Version of The Peony Pavilion is adapted from Tang Xianzu’s classic play. As China’s oldest extant opera form (over 600 years old), Kun Opera’s classical essence is preserved here, while modern aesthetics are incorporated to pass on this ancient art.
Reporter: Li Fangwang, Chen Xiaotong (Intern)
Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
