Macao time travel comedy show draws A-list celebrities

Celebrities including Shen Teng, Ma Li and Michelle Yeoh made surprise appearances at an immersive comedy show in China's Macao Special Administrative Region on April 11, joining audiences on a time travel journey through five centuries of history.

An immersive comedy show is performed in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, during the third Macao International Comedy Festival, April 11, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

Performed at Anim'Arte Nam Van Lake, the "Sound of Laughter Open Air" show ran for three consecutive nights, centered on an original stage drama, "Letters Through Time," in which historical and literary figures send letters across time and gather by the lake to meet contemporary audiences.

The stage drama, set in an old Macao post office, tells the story of Lulu, a 20-year-old office worker who, while sorting through century-old letters, unexpectedly encounters five legendary figures — Alessandro Valignano, Yung Wing, Matteo Ricci, Zheng Yisao and Tang Xianzu — and seeks answers to life's questions through songs and comedy. That theme of self-discovery extended beyond the main drama into the day's broader lineup of interactive comedy and lakeside performances.

Shen, Ma and Yeoh were joined by Stanley Tong, Mark Lee, Chen Luyu and Michelle Wai, all of whom interacted with the public and online spectators. The event was also broadcast live, delivering an outdoor public celebration blending comedy, cultural tourism and star power for audiences at home and abroad.

Through the show, guests strolled through installations recreating Macao's historic landmarks, including the Ruins of St. Paul's and Morrison's Chapel, visited local specialty eateries and experienced the city's Sino-Western cultural fusion.

The venue's market featured live performances from bands from Australia, Germany and Canada, alongside circus acts, dance performances, DJs and other international acts running day and night. Specialty foods and cultural products rounded out the offering, creating an immersive, internationally flavored cultural tourism scene.

Shen Teng, Ma Li and Michelle Yeoh attend a gala night event that included an immersive comedy show in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, during the third Macao International Comedy Festival, April 11, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

The show was also performed at the festival's gala night on April 11, which featured a celebrity red carpet for comedians, actors and guests.

The event offered daytime sightseeing and nighttime immersive performances across a venue that blended photo installations, live acts and audience interaction.

Since opening April 9, the third Macao International Comedy Festival has brought together comedic talent, showcased Macao's cultural heritage and fostered exchange between Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and the international community, while advancing the integration of the culture, tourism and creative industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.