History and fiction collide onstage

Fenton called Shen his favorite Chinese actor. "I've always wanted to act with Shen. This time, I kind of half-acted with him — he was in the audience, and I'm very happy about that. I think this is an impressive festival. They are bringing the top actors in China, and it's great to see Chinese comedy taking off on the world stage.

"Comedy is quite an international thing," he added. "People recognize awkwardness — which I use a lot in my work. We all want the same stuff: to make money, to find love. Comedies revolve around that."

Beyond its playful premise, the production also carries contemporary resonance. Codirectors Liu Jinhuayu and Gao Ruijia say the characters were chosen not only for their connections to Macao, but also for their shared experiences of hardship and resilience — qualities that continue to speak to audiences today.

This modern perspective is especially evident in its portrayal of female characters. Du Liniang, long defined by her devotion to love, is reimagined as a woman seeking selfhood. Meanwhile, Zheng Yi Sao — who rose from a humble backdrop to become the ruler of the most powerful pirate fleet during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) — dominates the stage with formidable power.

Such reinterpretations echo broader conversations within the festival. At a forum held on the same day, industry figures discussed the rise of women-centered comedies and the shift away from stereotypical portrayals.

Chen Luyu, a well-known TV host, says female characters in today's comedy landscape are increasingly breaking away from convention. "It is no longer limited to exaggerated self-mockery or deliberately looking 'ugly'. Female characters can now be authentic, sensual and multilayered, using humor to deconstruct anxiety and counter prejudice, turning private struggles into public conversations and opening up more avenues for female expression," she says.

Actress Ma Li, who rose to fame with the 2015 comedy Goodbye Mr Loser, reflects on her own journey. Early in her cinematic career, she says, she was frequently offered exaggerated roles that made her uncomfortable. "I always felt quite bitter about that. I wanted to prove to everyone that I could play all kinds of characters," she recalls.

A similar sentiment is shared by Hong Kong actress Michelle Wai. Before starring in The Last Dance — which won her Best Actress at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards — the 41-year-old actress says she often doubted herself after being cast in stereotypical roles. "Now I've learned to accept and love myself, and to put that first," she adds.

For Chen, the shift reflects a broader change in mindset. She encourages female creators to embrace their experiences — including setbacks — as part of their creative strength. Only by doing so, she says, can they move beyond limitations and find new possibilities in artistic creation.

Michelle Yeoh, famous for comedy blockbusters Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018), says she has always paid attention to the development of Chinese-language comedies. As the artistic genre that is best at conveying warmth and strength, Yeoh says she believes comedy can resonate with a wide audience beyond languages and borders.