This Halloween, Ricefield Arts presented The Painted Skin, a short stage adaptation inspired by Pu Songling’s classic ghost tale.
Reimagined for a contemporary audience, the play explored the thin line between love and illusion, temptation and truth that all through the haunting lens of Chinese folklore.

Performed by an ensemble of young actors, The Painted Skin brought together elements of mystery, humour, and emotion.
Over fifteen minutes, the story unfolded through four characters: Wang Sheng, torn between desire and loyalty; Hongye, the seductive spirit behind the painted skin; Liu Shuang, a woman who learns to face both heartbreak and transformation; and the Taoist, whose wit and wisdom bridge the human and the supernatural worlds.
Despite minimal props and lighting, the performance filled the stage with atmosphere — shifting scenes through colour, sound, and movement rather than set changes.
The audience was drawn into an eerie, dreamlike space that felt both ancient and immediate.

The production was developed as part of Ricefield Arts’ Theatre Project, which aims to support new creative voices and introduce East Asian stories to Scottish audiences.
We were delighted to once again collaborate with the Britannia Panopticon, one of Glasgow’s most iconic and historic theatres, where we have had the pleasure of staging several performances in the past. Its unique charm and intimate setting provided the perfect backdrop for this haunting tale.
From rehearsals in our small studio to stepping onto the Panopticon stage, the team worked with dedication, laughter, and curiosity. We’re proud that the performance was met with such warmth and enthusiasm, a testament to the creativity and hard work of everyone involved.

Special thanks to our cast, production team and the Panopticon team for their collaboration and care.
The Painted Skin was not only a performance, but also a dialogue between cultures, between the living and the spirit world, between fear and empathy.
We’re grateful to have shared it with our audience this Halloween — and we look forward to more stories that bridge worlds. ✨