Anti-graft-themed Fujian opera to debut tonight

Justice (Qingtian), an anti-corruption-themed Fujian opera written by the celebrated Pingtan playwright Chen Daogui, is set to debut in the Fanghua Theatre in Fuzhou, provincial capital of Fujian province tonight.

The play stood out among 14,000 entries to the Chinese National Arts Fund (CNAF) in 2016 and won a grant worth 2.5 million yuan ($ 362,540) to propel it to stages across the country.

Established in 2013, the CNAF is a charity set up to promote the arts and cultivate artistic talent in China.

The official poster for the Fujian opera Justice (Qingtian), which is set to debut in the Fanghua Theatre in Fuzhou, provincial capital of Fujian province tonight. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The play tells the story of Hai Rui, a Chinese official during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Despite experiencing trials and tribulations, Hai remains resolute and overcomes temptation to become a model of honesty and integrity.

But Justice delivers its profound message through a hefty dose of comedy, according to the production's director, Jin Aizhu.

"The appearance of Hai Rui indicates people's long-term hatred for corruption and political aspirations for the honest and upright officials," Jin said at a press conference in Pingtan on April 21.

"The drama shall echo people's anger at corrupt officials and the strong tides of feeling being unleashed by the national anti-corruption campaign currently underway," she added.

Chen Hongxiang, the Plum Blossom Prize winner, who stars as Hai Rui, expressed his confidence in the drama's success.