“SECRET Love in Peach Blossom Land,” the masterpiece by renowned Taiwanese playwright and director Lai Shengchuan (Stan Lai), celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with a special commemorative production coming to Shenzhen.

The genius of Lai’s writing lies in its seemingly absurd premise. Two entirely unrelated theater companies — one performing a modern tragedy called “Secret Love,” the other a period comedy called “Peach Blossom Land” — have accidentally booked the same rehearsal space on the same night. Neither is willing to yield.

With opening night approaching, they are forced to rehearse simultaneously, splitting the stage in half. The result is a breathtaking theatrical collision where ancient and modern, tragedy and comedy, intertwine before the audience’s eyes.

‘Secret Love’: A modern tragedy

Set against the chaos of wartime Shanghai, “Secret Love” follows Jiang Bin‑liu and Yun Zhi‑fan, two young lovers torn apart by conflict. Both eventually find their way to Taiwan, but neither knows the other’s fate. They yearn for one another for 40 years without ever reuniting, each building a separate family while carrying a quiet, unfulfilled longing.

In his final days, Jiang lies hospitalized with little time left. He places a missing‑person notice in a newspaper — and Yun comes to him. But by then, everything has changed.

‘Peach Blossom Land’: A period comedy

Inspired by Tao Yuanming’s ancient fable, “Peach Blossom Land” tells the story of Old Tao, a fisherman whose wife, Chun‑hua, is secretly involved with their landlord, Boss Yuan. In a fit of rage, Old Tao storms off to fish upstream — but accidentally stumbles into the mythical Peach Blossom Land.

There, he encounters a pair of white‑robed figures who look exactly like Chun‑hua and Boss Yuan. They welcome him warmly. Yet after several days, Old Tao still cannot forget his wife and returns to his hometown — only to find that more than a decade seems to have passed. Chun‑hua has married Boss Yuan and borne children, yet their chaotic, quarrelsome life remains unchanged.

40 years of a classic

First premiered in Taipei in 1986, “Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land” has been staged in 15 different versions. In 2016, the production landed at Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center’s Theater Above, which has since become director Lai’s dedicated venue.

Time: 8 p.m., Aug. 7-8

Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District (深圳大剧院)

Metro: Line 1, 2 or 5 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit B(Tang Li)