“Shining Friends” is an innovative musical interactive light comedy produced by Liuzhou Arts Theatre, blending distinctive local cultural elements of Liuzhou.

The play tells the story of an accident that occurred to the “Jianjian” Band during their performance, the band members woke up to find themselves trapped in a "snail shell" with one of the band members mysteriously missing. What unfolds is not just a fantastical adventure, but a soul-stirring ode to youth, dreams, and friendship.

This production interweaves the folk song culture of Liu Sanjie with modern music and pop influences, creating a unique artistic style. Audiences will experience the local customs and cultural charm of Liuzhou.

Dear Audience of Beseto Festival in Tottori,

I am Huang Yanzhuo, a playwright and director. ”Shining Friends” is my latest theatrical work this year. This original work created in collaboration with artists from Liuzhou Arts Theatre, embodies distinctive ethnic minority cultural elements.

It fills me with profound excitement that we shall gather in Tottori, Japan – communicating through theatre, connecting through music. I believe that in the theatre of Tottori, we will ultimately become friends who shine together.

With love for theatre, and for you,

Huang Yanzhuo

Liuzhou Arts Theatre and Liuzhou Performing Arts Group are a renowned professional arts collective in China, with a long history and strong reputation. Their activities span planning and production, creation and performance of pieces, management, arts education, and film screening. They’re equipped with abundant artistic resources and well-developed facilities.

Their artistic philosophy is: ‘The times remember only masterpieces, and art recognises only the best.’

In the late 1950s, they created and staged the original Caidiao Opera (a local folk theatre style from Guangxi) production Liu Sanjie, which later became the basis for the film version of Liu Sanjie. Since then, they have continued to produce and present outstanding works, many of which have received prestigious national awards. They have also showcased the richness of culture through performances at major events such as the China Art Festival, the Shanghai International Arts Festival, the 2008 Beijing Olympic cultural programmes, and the China–ASEAN Expo, widely promoting the beauty of Chinese traditional performing arts.