- Cantonese opera reimagines Donald Trump as a dramatic stage character
- Show fuses traditional theatre with real-life global politics
- Trump, Zelensky, and alien abduction drive the plot
By Grateful Ogunjebe
A bold new take on Cantonese opera has hit the stage in Hong Kong and this time, Donald Trump is the star.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the three-and-a-half-hour spectacle, Trump, The Twin Presidents, brings global politics into the world of ancient Chinese theatre.
The play opens with Ivanka Trump dreaming about her father’s long-lost twin, Chuan Pu, living in China.
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When Trump is abducted by aliens mid-campaign, Chuan travels to America to impersonate him and save the country.
The show is packed with satire. Trump argues with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, shoots a water gun at him, and references past controversies including his fallout with Elon Musk and attacks on Harvard.
Written by composer and fengshui master Edward Li Kui-Ming, the production draws from real headlines. Li says Trump’s global influence made him the perfect character for the modern opera revival.
Actor Loong Koon-tin fully embodies Trump, trading traditional opera paint for a blonde wig and exaggerated expressions. “I am the Donald Trump,” he said, explaining how he gets into character onstage.
Historic figures like Abraham Lincoln, Mao Zedong, Richard Nixon, and Kim Jong Un also appear.
The opera’s surreal timeline keeps audiences entertained while linking past and present world politics.
Cantonese opera, once central to 1950s entertainment, has seen declining popularity. But Li’s approach blends old art with current themes to attract younger fans and preserve the cultural legacy.
Sixteen-year-old Adiva Zeng said the show’s mix of Chinese culture and global politics got her attention. “It has Ukraine, the US and combines with our tradition,” she said.
Li hopes to take the production to Broadway or international venues. However, he admits funding challenges are a major barrier. Still, he believes drama can unite people across cultures.
“I’m not trying to be political,” Li explained. “My starting point is love and peace. Everyone loves love and peace.”
