Necklace and Calabash

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Note that in Chinese the surname — here printed in capitals — precedes the personal name.

Judge DEE Magistrate of the district of Poo-yang, who is staying two days in Rivertown while returning to his post

The Third Princess the Emperor's favourite daughter, who resides in the Water Palace, east of Rivertown

Hydrangea Chief Lady-in-waiting

LEI Mang Chief Eunuch of the Water Palace

WEN Tung Superintendent of the Water Palace

Colonel KANG Commander of the Imperial Guard

Captain SIEW his assistant

WEI Cheng host of the Kingfisher Inn

TAI Min cashier of that inn

Fern Wei Cheng's niece

LANG Liu a wealthy silk merchant

Master Gourd a Taoist monk