Avenger's story returns as bold new musical

A new musical about Shi Jianqiao (1905-79), a woman who spent 10 years in hiding before assassinating warlord Sun Chuanfang (1885-1935) to avenge her father's death, recently opened its rehearsal room to the public, where the production team shared their insights.

In 1935, Shi shot Sun as he chanted scriptures in a Buddhist hall in Tianjin, then immediately turned herself in.

The courts in Tianjin and Hebei province tried the case, and on Dec 16 the same year, Shi was sentenced to 10 years in prison, later reduced to seven years on appeal.

The case quickly gripped the nation, prompting more than 20 political figures to petition for her release. The Nationalist government in Nanjing issued a special pardon to release her on Oct 14, 1936.

For renowned composer Sanbao, the musical's artistic director, the story has been more than a decade in the making.

"What drew me was not just the act itself, but the wave of public opinion that followed. We want to delve deeper and explore society's collective response to the incident, such as the role of the media, the limits of 'filial piety' in traditional culture, and the ideas of cause, consequence and redemption within a Buddhist context," he says.

Titled Lady Vengeance Musical, the production unfolds entirely within a courtroom setting, with no scene changes.

A gallery of spectators is also present, with many people sometimes shouting in unison, sometimes speaking individually, serving both as a microcosm of public opinion on the streets of Tianjin in 1935 and reflecting the audience's own moral gaze.

Singer Tan Weiwei, who plays Shi, calls it the most demanding role of her career.

"I never expected to encounter a new challenge in my forties."

The musical premieres in Beijing at the Poly Theatre on May 21.