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A scene from the Dragon Palace sequence of the Shaoxing Opera Havoc in Heaven and Earth is performed in Shaoxing. [Photo/Tide News]

A classic Shaoxing Opera monkey play, Havoc in Heaven and Earth, was staged on the evening of Dec 15 in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province.

The performance was presented by the Zhejiang Shaoxing Opera Art Research Institute to mark the 68th anniversary of late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai attending a Shaoxing Opera performance, continuing that historical connection through the stage.

On the same date 68 years ago, Zhou watched the Shaoxing Opera Havoc in Heaven in Shanghai while accompanying U Ba Swe, then Myanmar's deputy prime minister. After the show, Zhou went onstage with the international guest to present flower baskets to the performers and congratulate them on their successful performance. 

The moment went on to become an important chapter in the history of Shaoxing Opera and reflected Zhou's long-standing commitment to the traditional performing arts of his hometown.

Sixty-eight years later, Havoc in Heaven and Earth returned to the stage in Shaoxing. Renowned performing artist Liu Xiao Ling Tong, a promoter of Shaoxing Opera culture, attended the event. He noted that his portrayal of the Monkey King in the CCTV television series Journey to the West drew inspiration from Shaoxing Opera monkey play techniques, and expressed hope that audiences could better appreciate the art form through such performances.

While preserving the artistic essence of the original work, the revived production features a more concise storyline and stage arrangement that align better with contemporary aesthetics.

In recent years, the Zhejiang Shaoxing Opera Art Research Institute has revived several monkey play productions, including Flaming Mountain and Havoc in Heaven and Earth, staging performances in cities such as Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, where they have been well received. The institute plans to continue promoting the inheritance and development of Shaoxing Opera, with a focus on monkey play traditions.

An actor performs in the Shaoxing Opera Havoc in Heaven and Earth during a staged production. [Photo/Tide News]