The Eight Immortals Dancing through Christmas?
Step into a magical realm as a historic garden transforms into an enchanting stage for the Eight Immortals — a delightful play that seamlessly intertwines ancient legend with the joyful spirit of this festive season, transcending borders and traditions.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
After entering through the rear entrance of the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, visitors must pass a moon gate before reaching Dingjing Hall.
NEW TAIPEI, Taiwan — In pre-modern China, pavilions were often constructed in the gardens of the wealthiest families to function as private theaters. Here, family members and guests would be entertained by live performances staged by hired troupes. Unfortunately, this tradition has been become a pastime of the past, as performances have now moved into concrete theaters.
Fortunately for those in town, there is an unmissable opera play is currently staged at the Lin Family Mansion and Garden (林本源園邸), offering a unique glimpse of watching a play inside a historic mansion. Set within the mid-19th century architectural complex, designated as a Class-2 Historic Site in New Taipei City, the Lin Family Mansion and Garden has transformed a portion of its structure into an enchanting stage. Here, legendary beings come to life, celebrating the holiday season with seasoned spectators.
Although entry is free, a ticket is required, with only 100 allowed for each performance due to the limited space of the venue. On the day I attended, the temperature dropped, and the humid air carried a chilly wind, as if the sky would drizzle at any moment.
Arriving just before 6 pm, I joined a queue for tickets in the cold, clad in my warm puff jacket. As soon as I secured a ticket, I headed towards the rear entrance of the complex. There, I waited for another 20 minutes in the cold for the door to open.
Entering the rear entrance, I passed through the garden’s Moon Gate, and reached Dingjing Hall, the estate's largest structure. While I've visited similar Chinese-style gardens like the Lin Family Garden, this was my first time experiencing such a place at night.
This festive season, Lin Family Mansion and Garden’s Dingjing Hall is transformed in to the enchanting stage for “The Eight Immortals Dancing Through Christmas”.
Dingjing Hall, styled in a quadrangle courtyard, was where the Lin family used to host lavish banquets. While the play unfolded in the front courtyard, with the hall's design adding to its historical charm, the space is further divided by a central corridor. What was once a corridor guiding guests to the ceremonial main hall has been transformed into the main stage. Luckily, I was able to secure a front-row seat, providing an exceptionally intimate and immersive viewing experience throughout the play.
The play is an adaptation of “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea,” a tale deeply ingrained in Chinese folklore. The Eight Immortals, known as baxian, represent legendary figures originating from Taoist tradition. Each immortal embodies virtues celebrated in Chinese culture, such as wisdom, perseverance, and benevolence, to mention a few.
Together, these iconic figures bring a unique flavour to this timeless ensemble, blending ancient legend and virtue in a tale that transcends borders and traditions: Lu Dongbin’s heroic swordsmanship, Zhang Guolao’s unconventional charm as he rides his mule backward, and Han Zhongli, an embodiment of martial prowess and justice. The ensemble further unfolds with He Xiangu’s ethereal grace with a lotus and peach, and Li Tieguai, wielding a healing crutch, who stands in stark contrast to Cao Guojiu’s elegant presence. Last but not least, the whimsical Lan Caihe, a gender-fluid Immortal with a flower basket, and Han Xiangzi’s enchanting musical prowess with his magical flute.
While the Eight Immortals serve as a fountain of inspiration for Chinese arts and literature, they find captivating expression in Chinese Opera. “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” revolves around their magical odyssey across the treacherous Eastern Sea. Armed with unique powers, the Immortals showcase their abilities through mesmerising choreography and stylised movements, creating a captivating blend of supernatural prowess, visually stunning costumes, and traditional Chinese music.
The Eight Immortals engage in joyful chatter along the central corridor of Dingjing Hall. Image courtesy of Contemporary Legend Theatre and Minkuan Taiwanese Opera Troupe.
Bilingual subtitles are provided for the play, a detail I only discovered halfway through the performance.
Lu Dongbin engages in a fierce battle with the carp spirit, one of the obstacles encountered by the Eight Immortals during their journey across the sea.
As a staple play in Peking opera, The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is rich in symbolism, and the reunion of the Eight Immortals makes it an ideal choice for festive celebrations, particularly during the New Year. While the narrative is not new, you might be wondering why this traditional play has been selected for the festive season, and what does it have to do with Christmas.
Jointly presented by Contemporary Legend Theatre and Minkuan Taiwanese Opera Troupe, the play combines the strengths of two performing arts troupe. The former is renowned for blending Eastern and Western traditions, while the latter, a Banqiao-based troupe, is celebrated for preserving the traditions of Gezai opera, also known as Taiwanese opera. The fusion of these two operatic traditions adds a fascinating layer to the performance.
Unexpectedly, midway through the play, one of the Eight Immortals, Zhang Guolao — typically portrayed as an old and eccentric figure with a carefree demeanour — transforms into Santa Claus, complete with a bag slung over his shoulder. With his crane-like hair and flowing silver beard, Zhang is perfectly cast as the harbinger of joy.
Santa Claus, portrayed by Zhang Guolao, one of the Eight Immortals, enters the stage. Image courtesy of Contemporary Legend Theatre and Minkuan Taiwanese Opera Troupe.
Along with the rest of the Eight Immortals, Zhang Guolao, disguised as Santa Claus, bids farewells to the audience toward the end of the play.
Santa also delighted the audience by turning us into participants in a quiz competition, offering Christmas gifts to those who answered correctly. In the end, each of the Immortals emerged to distribute candy to the audience, further enhancing the festive mood.
In this unique performance, the Eight Immortals dance and sing on the stage of a historic building, captivating spectators with their enduring charm. “The Eight Immortals Dancing Through Christmas” masterfully strikes a balance, bringing join to modern audiences while adhering to traditions. The play also becomes a cultural intersection where myth meets drama, east meets west, and Peking opera meets Gezai opera!
I particularly enjoyed how the playwright — towards the end of the play — twisted the pronunciation of the Taiwanese dialect, unexpectedly associating it with “Jingle Bell”! This clever touch sparked a lot of laughter from the audience.
For those who stayed after the performance, getting a photo with the performers on stage was a fantastic experience. I seized the opportunity and had a picture with the Eight Immortals, knowing it would be a cherished memento of this exceptionally memorable festive holiday for an opera enthusiast like me.
Despite the forecast predicting rain, the night stayed dry. While plastic coverings in the courtyard were ready to shield the audience from the rain, the unexpected sight of snowflakes dancing in my imagination added a magical touch, all made possible by “The Eight Immortals Dancing Through Christmas”.
A post-performance treat for the audience is that photography with the performers onstage is open for all!
In the evening, lanterns illuminate the doorstep of the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, casting a serene ambiance.
Tips for wanderer — Quick facts bout the Lin Family Mansion and Garden:
Officially known as The Lin Ben Yuan Family Mansion and Garden
Dubbed as one of the Four Great Gardens of Taiwan
The most complete example of traditional Chinese garden complex still intact in Taiwan
The complex spans an area of approximately 20,000 square metres.
Jointly presented by Contemporary Legend Theatre and Minkuan Taiwanese Opera Troupe, The Eight Immortals Dancing Through Christmas graced the stage at Lin Family Mansion and Garden on December 16, 23, and 30, from 19:00 to 20:00.