Summary of Key Points
The Hong Kong original Cantonese musical "The Great Attorney King" took ten years to develop. It began with an idea in a Shanghai café, followed by previews and premieres in Hong Kong, and then sold out in every theater during its tours on the Chinese mainland. Now, it has reached the milestone of its 100th performance. This musical breaks away from the stereotypical image of the villainous attorney Fang Tangjing found in traditional films and television, telling a story of redemption where a villain turns into a good person. By blending Eastern traditional arts with modern musical forms, it has won over 30 theater awards. It has also overcome the language barrier of Cantonese works on the mainland, becoming a benchmark for Chinese-language original musicals and fostering closer cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.
I. Ten Years of Hard Work: From a Café Inspiration to 100 Glorious Performances
The birth of "The Great Attorney King" was like a "romantic coincidence." Eleven years ago, composer Gao Shizhang and lyricist Cen Weizong had the idea of turning the play "The Judge Who Decides Life and Death" into a musical while performing in a café on Huaihai Road in Shanghai. This inspiration, nurtured in Hong Kong over the course of ten years, led to a preview in 2019, a premiere in 2022, a sensational reprise in Hong Kong in 2023, and a premiere on the mainland in 2025, which took place in Shanghai again.
In the past, creating original musicals in Hong Kong was often seen as a futile endeavor. "The Great Attorney King" did not rely on any major intellectual property and did not imitate foreign musicals; it relied entirely on the team's dedication to detail. The script was revised countless times, the music was carefully tuned, and the stage design was completely redone. As Gao Shizhang said, "The path was long, but it was made possible by the trust and perseverance of my colleagues." Ten years later, it has reached its 100th performance in Shanghai, marking its transformation from a mere idea to a successful musical.
II. The Redemption of Fang Tangjing: The Story of a Villain Becoming a Hero
When people think of Fang Tangjing, they might recall the cunning villainous attorney in Stephen Chow's movie "The Nine-Tiered芝麻 Official." However, "The Great Attorney King" takes a different approach. Screenwriter Zhang Feifan explained, "The character of Song Shijie has been overused in stories, so we decided to start with his opponent, Fang Tangjing, and tell the story of how a villain can be redeemed."
In the story, Fang Tangjing wins 80 cases in his life but is haunted by the spirit of Ah Xi due to the wrongs he has committed. To save his own life, he helps Ah Xi's beloved, Xiu Xiu, seek justice. His journey evolves from self-serving calculations to putting aside personal motives for the sake of fairness, ultimately leading to his own redemption. This twist in the villain's story reveals the complexity of human nature and brings a new dimension to an old legend.
III. The Fusion of Eastern and Modern Elements: Artistic Highlights
What makes "The Great Attorney King" stand out is its innovative artistic blend:
- Music: Gao Shizhang combines Cantonese opera, rock, classical Indian music, nursery rhymes, and Broadway styles in a way that is not chaotic. For example, the 18-minute "Seeking Justice" segment features elegant Cantonese opera melodies, fast-paced Cantonese lyrics, and multi-part choruses, creating a thrilling experience for the audience. Cen Weizong's lyrics are masterfully crafted, using the nine-tone rhythm of Cantonese to create a sense of literature while staying relatable to the audience. The opening poem, accompanied by gongs and drums, instantly transports the audience to the atmosphere of a Qing dynasty court.
- Stage Design: The design follows a "Chinese minimalist" approach, with elements like a hanging moon, a drum for expressing grievances, and a rotating stage. The simple yet effective set design leaves plenty of room for the audience's imagination. Director Fang Junjie was initially concerned that the design might be too restrained, but the audience paid close attention to even the smallest details, showing that the production values quality.
IV. Cantonese Musicals Becoming Popular on the Mainland: Language Is Not a Barrier
Initially, the team was worried whether mainland audiences would accept a Cantonese musical. However, last year's premiere in Shanghai sold out in all 12 shows, and this year's 20 shows were also fully booked. Some audiences even said they started learning Cantonese after watching the musical and wished they didn't need subtitles next time.
The reason for this success is multifaceted: the story is relatable regardless of region; the artistic quality is high, allowing the audience to immerse themselves even with subtitles; and the team's dedication is evident, with each performance featuring new details that attract repeat viewers. Market feedback was also positive—last year, nearly 5,000 limited-edition merchandise items related to the character Fang Tangjing were sold, accounting for half of the total merchandise revenue. The musical generated 690,000 views on social media, and audiences wrote nearly 6,000 reviews.
V. The Significance of the 100th Performance: A New Benchmark for Chinese-Language Musicals
The 100th performance of "The Great Attorney King" is more than just a numerical milestone; it sets a new standard for Chinese-language original musicals:
- Quality Over Popularity: The musical relies on the strength of its script, music, and stage design, rather than relying on popular stars.
- Cultural Exchange: A local story told in Cantonese resonates with mainland audiences, demonstrating the potential of local content.
- Cross-Cultural Connection: Shanghai, the birthplace of the musical and the site of its 100th performance, has become an important platform for spreading Hong Kong's arts. Fei Yuanhong, the general manager of Shanghai Cultural Plaza, said, "The spirit of this musical, which took ten years to create, is worth learning from for mainland original musicals."
In the future, "The Great Attorney King" aims to become a work that can be cherished like the golden age of Hong Kong films—repeatedly enjoyed by audiences. The fact that people continue to support it is the best testament to the passion and dedication of its creators.
The success of this musical shows that good works don't need to rush; with careful craftsmanship, local stories can transcend language and cultural barriers to touch everyone.