A group photo taken after the performance of the musical Nan Kong in Singapore. [Photo/WeChat ID: quzhoufb]

Nan Kong, China's first original musical centered on Southern Confucianism, was staged at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore on Oct 24 and Oct 25, marking the start of its international tours.

The musical recounts the tale of Kong Zhu (1231–91), the eldest direct descendant of Confucius in the 53rd generation. He gave up his noble title and returned to Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province to dedicate himself to promoting Confucian culture.

The two-hour performance captivated the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause as the cast took their final bows. The excitement continued afterward with autograph sessions and photo opportunities.

"This was my first experience with a Chinese musical, and it was truly impressive. The actors and stage design were outstanding," said Mao Yiqian, a local arts industry professional.

"Experiencing such a high-caliber musical from China with my students was both a visual and auditory feast," said Xu Weidong, a teacher at Shelton College International in Singapore. "I will recommend it to my friends, hoping more productions like Nan Kong will share traditional Chinese culture with the world."

After its two-day run in Singapore, the musical is set to begin its Malaysia tour on Oct 27 and 28.

Since its premiere in August 2023, Nan Kong has been performed nearly 140 times in over 40 Chinese cities, earning widespread acclaim.