Classic tale of friendship

The National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts will gather its most talented students and teachers to present the classic Peking Opera The Lucky Purse (Suo Lin Nang), the last in the series of performances staged by the academy to celebrate National Day.

The Lucky Purse tells a moving story about the friendship between two women in ancient Chinese society.

Xue Xiangling, born to a rich family, happens to get married on the same day as Zhao Shouzhen, who comes from a poor family. They run into one another in a pavilion during a heavy downpour and after listening to Zhao's experiences, Xue gives her a part of her dowry, a purse filled with jewelry, to help her out.