We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. To find out more, read our data protection and cookie policy. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Close to continue browsing.
/
What's On
A diverse range of events, there's always something to experience.
FEATURED
Visit Esplanade
1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Get Involved
Be a part of the many things that we do as an arts centre for everyone.
BE A MEMBER
Support The Arts
Ways that you can make a difference through the arts.
Donate & Sponsor
About Us
Who we are, what we do and how the "durian" came to be.
Offstage
Read, watch, listen.
FEATURED
Cargo Lift Sessions Season 4
Find what you're looking for.
Esplanade Presents
Music | Theatre
Final Bow
Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group
Playwright and Director: Huang Chih-Kai (Taiwan)
Playwright and Director: Huang Chih-Kai (Taiwan)
31 Oct 2025, Fri, 7.30pm
1 Nov 2025, Sat, 2.30pm
2hrs 50mins
(Intermission: 1 x 20mins)
Esplanade Theatre
Synopsis
Famed Taiwanese Hokkien opera troupe Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group joins forces with acclaimed playwright and director Huang Chih-kai in a cross-disciplinary collaboration that's bound to bring you laughter and tears!
Set against the sweeping cultural shifts of 1960s and ’70s Taiwan, Final Bow captures a turning point in history—when the burgeoning film industry upheaves traditional Taiwanese opera troupes from their grand indoor theatres to open-air stages, forcing them to take their final bows.
Beloved gezaixi (Taiwanese opera) troupe Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group (Ming Hwa Yuan) returns to Esplanade after seven years with Final Bow, a hilarious yet heartfelt homage to the golden years of traditional Taiwanese opera. Adapted from the award-winning short story by Hung Hsing Fu, this critically acclaimed production was first staged in 2016 and now embarks on its next tour in celebration of Ming Hwa Yuan’s 96th anniversary.
In collaboration with director Huang Chih-kai, known for The Way of Zhuang Zi and The Long Goodbye, both presented as part of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2019 and 2020 respectively, the production blends modern stage play with traditional theatre performance.
Huang reimagines a once-tragic tale through comedic elements, cleverly shifting between the onstage performance and backstage lives of the fictional Yushan Opera Troupe. This playful yet poignant play-within-a-play features a progressively absurd retelling of the classic love opera of Chen Shimei and Qin Xianglian, unfolding alongside the troupe’s struggles to adapt to the decline of gezaixi.
Don’t miss this masterful blend of humour and heart—as reality and performance collide in a tribute to the resilience of Taiwanese opera predecessors, and relish in a tapestry of emotions woven over a century of gezaixi.
Production credits
Playwright & Director: Huang Chih-kai
Main Cast: Sun Tsui-feng, Chen Chao-ting, Fiona Huang, Li Yu-chen, Chen Tzu-hao, Chiu Yi-fen, Kao Yu-shan, Su Yun-he
Admission Age:
6 and above.
Language: Mandarin, Hokkien
Surtitle Language: English, Chinese
Things to Note:
Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. Concessions are available for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and one accompanying companion. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.
Ticketing: Prices exclude ticketing agent’s booking fees. Entry to performance venues is granted to patrons with tickets that have been purchased through authorised ticket agents only. Read about ticketing or check our FAQs.
For information about late seating, photography and more, please read our general advisory.
With the growing threat of online phishing scams, please remain vigilant. Use official ticketing channels such as Esplanade.com or Sistic.com.sg and check that you are on legitimate websites before logging in to book tickets.
Artist Information
Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group
Established in 1929 by Chen Ming-chi, Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group (Ming Hwa Yuan) has survived the turbulent history of gezaixi. Under the stewardship of 2nd generation troupe leader, Chen Sheng-Fu, Ming Hwa Yuan was able to remain strong as a family and turn the sunsetting industry around. Their performances exude a sense of magical surrealism and contain clear moral messages embedded within its plots, all while staying true to the traditions of gezaixi. They successfully fuse folk-arts, drama, poetry, music, dance, acrobatics, visual arts, and theatre technique, expanding the boundaries of the traditional art form with the goal of creating a “Musical of the Orient”.
Huang Chih-Kai, Playwright and Director
Huang Chih-Kai is the founder and artistic director of Story Works, and a graduate of the inaugural class from National Taiwan University's Department of Drama. His works are diverse in style, often exploring social phenomena by weaving comedic elements into serious topics, creating a multi-layered emotional experience for audiences. In addition to his original works, Huang has experimented extensively with adaptations and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Date & Time
Tickets & Prices
Meet & Greet (post-show) with Cat 1 ticket + autographed poster: $128
Meet & Greet ticket holders are entitled to an autographed poster and an exclusive meet & greet with the main cast after the show.
-
Standard Ticket
-
Concession Ticket
Esplanade&Me Specials
Early Bird (17 – 24 Aug 2025, limited tickets)
Black: 20% savings
White: 15% savings
Discover: 15% savings (Min. 2 tickets)
JOYears: 20% savings
From 25 Aug 2025, 10am
Black: 15% savings
White: 10% savings (Limited tickets)
Discover: 10% savings (Min. 2 tickets, limited tickets)
JOYers: 15% savings
Applicable to Standard Cat 1 and Cat 2 tickets only. Terms and Conditions apply.
Theatre Bundle
(Available from 17 Jul – 9 Nov 2025)
Enjoy 15% savings when you purchase min. 4 tickets across two or more of the theatre productions listed below! Limited availability.
-
Yusof: Portrait of a President (17–19 Oct 2025, Cat 1 only)
-
Final Bow (31 Oct & 1 Nov 2025, Cat 1 & 2)
-
Twelve Angry Men (7–9 Nov 2025, Cat 1 only)
-
The Cherry Orchard 벚꽃동산 (7–9 Nov 2025, Cat 1 & 2)
Tote Board Arts Grant
All Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges/ Centralised Institute & ITEs may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 50% of the programme cost.
For more details, please contact Esplanade Box Office at 6828 8389 or email boxoffice@esplanade.com.
$60 Vouchers for Just $50 – While stocks last!
Only 200 vouchers available on a first-come, first-served basis! Voucher codes can be used until 31 Dec 2025 only.
Terms and conditions apply. An exclusive promotion from Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in celebration of SG60.
ESPLANADE&ME
Become a member
Great arts experiences begin with Esplanade&Me. Join this membership to enjoy ticket specials on shows at Esplanade, early bird specials, promotions at Esplanade Mall, unlimited access to Offstage and more.
Never miss a show again. Get on our mailing list.
.ashx?rev=8ef317eb05ec48d58920423189249a60&hash=920D5AA339BDBC5A4E5A80B659A18D31){kind=small}
Copyright © 2025 The Esplanade Co Ltd