The scent of Kyara, the sinking of an empire.

Kyara — supreme agarwood, the "King of Scents." Its five-colored smoke can soothe, beguile, or lull into deep slumber.

When a soul of iron meets an exotic scent: is it a hero betraying his nation, or a soul claiming freedom?

Following the sudden death of King Xisa,  the capital falls into a cold, calculated power struggle. The successor, Dugu Haitang, uses "order" as his weapon, branding the valiant general An Dunning a traitor under the spell of a foreign queen. In this ruthless game, the hero who helped build the Empire is reduced to a pawn to be sacrificed for a new ruler's ambition.

In that exotic land, filled with the rich aroma of Kyara (Agarwood),  An Dunning encounters the renowned Queen Dongfang. But she is not the seductress the rumors claim. Hidden in her rug, she unveils a grand vision of shared peace and sovereign power, guided by her political ambition to protect her land. By showing him a truth the Empire tries to hide, she awakens a dignity in An Dunning that had long been buried.

Confronted with a cold marriage and the restraints of empire, An Dunning breaks free from the bonds of power and forges a new path. In a daring move, he runs toward the East—the only place that truly understands his soul.

Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe reimagines the legendary story of Antonius and Cleopatra, led by Golden Melody Award–winning performers, including an exceptional mother–daughter leading duo.

Led by KUO Chun-mei as General An Dunning, a warrior torn between loyalty to his nation, the pull of love, and his own will, ultimately forging his own path. Opposite him, SUN Kai-lin portrays  Dugu Haitang, the adopted son of the former king—outwardly upright yet masterful in political intrigue, manipulating public opinion to stir the tides of a nation. Completing the trio, JIAN Jia-yi appears as Queen Dongfang, the legendary Eastern queen whose beauty became the subject of myth, here reimagined not as a femme fatale but as a powerful ruler commanding her own destiny.

  Pre-talk  

2026/9/12(Sat)14:00 Opera House 2F Lobby

2026/9/13(Sun)14:00 Opera House 2F Lobby

  Creative and Production Team  

Producer｜KUO Chun-mei

Director｜SUNG Hou-kuan

Playwright｜LEE Ji-wen

Dramatic Advisor｜LIN He-yi

Music Designer｜CHOU Huang-hsiang

Stage Designer｜CHEN Qiong-zhu

Costume Designer｜HSU Hsiang-feng

Lighting Designer｜SUNG Yung-hung

Martial Arts Coach｜CHANG Shu-yu

Movement Designer｜CHEN Zhi-lei

Stage Manager｜CHENG Chu-hsin

Head of Stage｜CHOU Chih-wei

Production Electrician｜CHIU Yu-wen

Managing Producer｜JHU Hong-cheng

Managing Director｜CHENG Chiu-Mei

Leading Actor｜KUO Chun-mei, SUN Kai-lin, JIAN Jia-yi

Performance Group｜Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe

Performance Partnership｜Taiwan Bangzi Opera Company

  Team Introduction  

Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe

Founded in Kaohsiung in 2000 by the acclaimed Sheng (male lead) virtuoso Kuo Chun-mei, the Chun-Mei Taiwanese Opera Troupe is defined by its relentless spirit of innovation. A trendsetter in the contemporary scene, the troupe maintains a vibrant presence at traditional festivals while consistently pushing the boundaries of the art form through sophisticated, large-scale theatrical productions. Renowned for its bold storytelling and avant-garde staging, the troupe's annual premieres are highly anticipated events that continue to captivate audiences and redefine the landscape of Taiwanese Opera.

KUO Chun-mei

Born into a renowned Taiwanese Opera family in Kaohsiung, KUO Chun-mei stepped into the spotlight in early childhood and assumed the mantle of the leading male role (Sheng) at just sixteen. Her career reached national heights through her captivating performances in television operas such as The Great Han Restoration and Justice and Honor. Her portrayal of the charismatic and chivalrous protagonist "Bai Yun-tian" became a cultural phenomenon, winning the hearts of audiences across Taiwan.
A visionary artist, she collaborated with jazz musician Su Tong-da in 2007 on the pioneering crossover album I'm Riding a White Horse, earning widespread acclaim for blending traditional vocals with modern arrangements. Currently the leader and principal Sheng of the Chun-Mei Opera Troupe, she was honored with the Best Actor of the Year award at the 2021 Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music for her masterful performance in Rain on the Stage. Celebrated by the media as the "Idol of Taiwanese Opera" and compared to international icons like Takeshi Kaneshiro and the top stars of Japan's Takarazuka Revue, her artistry is characterized by a dashing stage presence, refined movement, and a depth of acting that reflects a lifetime of mastery.

SUN Kai-lin

Immersed in the melodies of Taiwanese Opera since infancy, Kailin SUN first garnered widespread acclaim with a poignant Duma aria as Xiao Jian-feng in Hate Locked in a Dream of Heaven. Her talent extends beyond the stage to the screen, with notable appearances in the television series Taiwanese Strange Stories and the acclaimed film Flying Dragon, Dancing Phoenix.

A multifaceted performer, Kailin SUN is celebrated for her "civil and martial" versatility. She is equally compelling as a dashing male lead (Sheng) and as comedic relief (Sanhua), bringing both charisma and impeccable timing to the stage. In recent years, she has further expanded her artistic horizons into playwriting and directing, embracing a comprehensive range of creative challenges. Her excellence has been recognized with the 2019 Taiwan Culture Award for Best Male Lead(Sheng), followed by the prestigious Best New Performer award at the 2021 Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music (GMA-TAM).

JIAN Jia-yi

Raised in the heart of a Taiwanese Opera family, JIAN Jia-yi's life has been inextricably linked to the stage. She is celebrated not only for her striking beauty and elegance but for her meticulous dedication to the art. Her pursuit of excellence has led her to refine her skills under the guidance of Peking Opera star Huang Yu-lin, blending traditional techniques with contemporary sensitivity.

A leading figure of the Chun-Mei Opera Troupe since her 2012 debut in Prince of the Night, she has commanded the stage in a vast repertoire of leading roles. From the intrigue of The Gold Detective (2014) to the emotional complexity of The Last Dance (2022), her work reflects a continuous mastery of both drama and song. Following her selection for the 2021 "Chenggong" (Succession) Rising Star showcase at Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center, she continues to push the boundaries of the genre, shining as a beacon of talent in the traditional arts.

Director｜SUNG Hou-kuan

SUNG Hou-kuan is the Artistic Director of Taipei Seagull Theatre. He holds both an MFA and a BFA in Theatre Arts from the Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA). A dedicated educator in the field, he has previously served as a lecturer at both TNUA and National Taiwan University.

Awards & Expertise

Sung's directorial and writing work seamlessly spans modern theatre and traditional opera, including Taiwanese Opera, Peking Opera, and Glove Puppetry. He is recognized for his ability to innovate within traditional forms, earning him significant acclaim:

Who's Koxinga?: Winner of the Performing Arts Award (22nd Taishin Arts Awards) and Best Director (35th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music).

The Prequel of hero Tāi-kiap Pik-tshó-ong: Winner of the Jury Prize (34th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music).

Playwright｜LEE Ji-wen

Lee Ji-wen is an Assistant Professor at Shu-Te University, serving both the General Education College and the Department of Performing Arts. She holds a PhD from the Central Academy of Drama (Beijing) and an MFA from the National Institute of the Arts (now TNUA).

Awards & Expertise

As a playwright and director, Lee specializes in cross-cultural narratives, gender issues, and the reconstruction of classical texts. Her work is noted for its psychological depth and the delicate exploration of human nature within contemporary philosophical frameworks.

The Orphan in 1399: Winner of Best Playwright at the 30th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music. The play was highly praised for its meta-theatrical structure that bridges historical drama with contemporary dialogue.