Dreams Drunk on Pear Garden Opera

Gu Ansheng: In these years of splendor, the moon shines over a tranquil lake. My wish is for peace and contentment.

Qiao Jinyue: In this peaceful life, I seek songs and laughter. My wish is for a safe and peaceful world.

She said, "How lovely. This inscription has both your name and mine in it." He said, "How lovely. This inscription holds both your wish and mine."

He, Gu Ansheng, is a celebrated crosstalk performer at Wenzhou Society. On a three-foot stage, with a silver tongue, he speaks of the vastness of the world and the elegance of ages past and present.

She, Qiao Jinyue, is a celebrated Peking opera performer at Xiangmeng Garden. On a stage of her own, her water sleeves flowing, she sings of beauties like flowers and years that pass like flowing water.

She said, "If I were the moon, would you be the vast stars protecting me?" He said, "You are the moonlight in my heart. I wish to protect you alone."

They say actors have no heart. But in a world torn apart by war, with the land in ruins, who could truly be without feeling? Actors have hearts too. Though lowly, they still cannot forget their country, even if no one knows them.

The drums and gongs fall silent, tears smudge the painted face. Onstage, they sing of elegance; offstage, their hair turns white. They cannot grow old together, yet their madness becomes a beloved tale. The land lies shattered. Where is home? In an old dream of the pear garden, we are all but people in a dream.