Guan Yu, also known as Guan Yunchang, was a famous general during the Three Kingdoms period. He was so well-known for his loyalty and righteousness that he was later deified and worshipped as a folk god. The legend of Guan Yu has been a frequent subject of adaptation in Chinese opera and theatre, to the extent that both Peking and Cantonese opera traditions have Guan Gong (Lord Guan) as a genre of performance, a rare instance where the genre name is taken directly from a character. The stage image of Guan Gong is unique and authoritative. Always dressed in green robes and golden armour, and armed with the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and a red riding whip, with a long beard on a red painted face, Lord Guan is a commanding and noble presence. There are set movements and gestures associated with the role of Lord Guan, such as glaring, stroking and throwing back his beard, and puffing up his cheeks. The highlight of any notable interpretation of the role is how the performer brings out the stature and impressiveness of the character, often by half-closing his eyes. They also need to stay composed while displaying a mastery of both vocal techniques and stage movements in a way that complements the majesty of luogu (gong-and-drum) music. The role, therefore, is very much a distillation of the aesthetics of unadorned simplicity and traditional elegance at the heart of Cantonese opera.
As one of the most iconic figures in Chinese culture, some of the well-known Cantonese opera pieces on Lord Guan have been adapted into films in the 1950s and 1960s, starring performers famed for their interpretations of the character, including Sun Chu, Kwan Tak-hing (both of whom were named ‘Living Lord Guan’ for their virtuoso skills), and ‘Female Lord Guan’ Leng Wah Hang. ‘Cantonese Opera Films: The Legend of Guan Gong’ is one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Festival 2025. The leading roles in four of the five films selected are played by these three stellar Cantonese opera performers. Additionally, a film featuring famous Peking opera actor Yu Zhanyuan in the role of Lord Guan has also been selected. These screenings are an unmissable opportunity to witness the incomparable skills and talents of some of the best interpreters of the Lord Guan character in Cantonese opera films on the big screen.
