The Legend of the Purple Hairpin

Chu Chan Wa and Macao Cantonese Opera Actors

7,8/5|Saturday, Sunday|7:30pm     Cinema Alegria     Tickets: MOP 150, 120

Executive Producer and Director: Chu Chan Wa

Characters and Cast

Li Yi Chu Chan Wa, Lei Fong I, Un Son Kun and Chan Oi Lin
Huo Xiaoyu Sou Lai Ieng, Iek Lai Kun and Cheang Sin Peng
Huangshanke Tang Va Chio
Wei Xiaqing Loc Vai Kiong
Cui Yunming Chio Heng Wa
Official Lu Che Tin Hong
Huan Sha Fong Pou Ngan and Wong Mui Fan
Lu Yanzhen Wong Pek Si and Lok In Wa
Mrs. Huo Fong Soi Heong
Wang Shaoer Wong Wai Chan
Liu Gongji Chao Pui I
Hou Jingguang Chan Kin Chung
Bao Sanniang Wong Pou On
Wuxiang Master Chan Cheok Pan



A tragic love story that begins with a purple hairpin memento. The Legend of the Purple Hairpin is coming to this year’s Macao Arts Festival (MAF); having received widespread acclaim, it is a must-see for Cantonese Opera lovers.

The Legend of the Purple Hairpin was written by Tang Xianzu during the Ming Dynasty, later adapted by Tong Dik Sang into a Cantonese Opera. The play tells the story of a young scholar in the Tang Dynasty, Li Yi who travels to the capital Changan to take the national civil examination. During the Lantern Festival, he encounters Huo Xiaoyu in the night market and picks up the purple hairpin she leaves behind by chance. Using the hairpin as a token of love, Li proposes to her on that same night. However, “the course of true love never did run smooth.” With the assistance of a mysterious man in the yellow robe (Huangshanke), together they have to fight against the wicked plot of Official Lu.

Tang Xianzu is one of the most renowned playwrights in Chinese history. With such remarkable achievements, later generations regarded him as highly and influential as the greatest western playwright William Shakespeare. In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of Tang Xianzu, MAF has specially invited local experienced Cantonese Opera expert, Chu Chan Wa along with other local talents from Cantonese Opera to present this classic masterpiece.

Performed in Cantonese, with surtitles in Chinese
Duration: aproximately 3 hours, including one interval