Beijing Opera 京剧

No matter where you are from, Beijing Opera will enchant you. With a 200-year history, Beijing Opera has won the hearts of many fans. It has earned the name "the quintessence of China." All Beijing Opera performances are stories adapted from classical literature, folk tales, and epic stories of ancient China. The actors and actresses of Beijing Opera dress up in traditional costumes and wear special make-up. The orchestra is made of an erhu (a two-stringed fiddle), a jinghu (similar to an erhu, but larger), a yueqin (a four-stringed guitar-like instrument), a Chinese style drum, a sanxian (a three-stringed guitar-like instrument) and other Chinese musical instruments. There are four types of roles for the performers: Shēng, Dàn , Jìng and Chǒu . The leading male actor's role is called "Sheng". Types of Sheng roles include "Laosheng" and "Xiaosheng" for older and younger characters, respectively. The role played by female characters is called "Dan". "Dan" roles include "Laodan" (older female roles) and "Huadan" (younger, more elegant roles). In the past, Dan roles were played by male actors, but now female actresses play these roles. "Jing" roles portray a specific type of person with easily-identifiable characteristics. The "Chou" role is typically one of a comedian or clown that is mischievous and clever. Though usually humorous, the "Chou" character may alternatively be evil and villainous.

Beijing Opera includes four kinds of performances: singing, speaking, pantomime and acrobatics. Singing shows the role's character, emotion and plot. Speaking simply refers to the dialogue that also tells you the plot. Pantomime is acting out the plot by different symbolic movements. Acrobatics are performed in fight scenes.

Another special characteristic of Beijing Opera is facial painting. That is a fascinating part of Beijing Opera. You can easily tell the role of each character by their facial paint. Generally, red is the color of heroism and honesty. Black stands for righteousness. White symbolizes evil and harshness. Blue is the color of warriors. Yellow represents cruelty. Green often symbolizes those who have a sense of justice. Gold represents spirits and the Buddha. In some opera houses, such as the Liyuan Opera House, tourists can get their pictures taken in Beijing Opera costumes and make-up.

Many foreign tourists like to see Beijing Opera, but most of them don't undertand the plot very well. Some of the stories are interesting and easy to understand while others are profound and involved. So they may get bored with lengthy vocal sections. Actually even for Beijingers, it can be hard to follow and they may have difficulty understanding the dialects during the play. Anyway, you may get help from the electronic subtitles. In Liyuan Opera House, they provide English electronic subtitles.

If you can see one of the following interesting plays, you will surely be pleased.

The Crossroads三岔口:Two itinerant heroes meet in an inn, misunderstand each other and fight in the dark. The action is funny and acrobatic.

Fight in the Dragon Palace闹龙宫: This story comes from a famous novel. The Monkey King is looking for a handy weapon and comes down into the sea. He finally gets an iron cudgel after making a mess of the Dragon Palace.

Stealing Immortal Herbs 盗仙草:It is an episode of a Chinese tale "The Romance of the White Snake". Xuxian and Bai Suzhen (White Snake) fall in love. The major monk of Jinshan Temple tells Xuxian that Bai Suzhen is a snake. Xuxian takes his advice and lets Bai Suzhen drink wine in order to make her turn to a snake. She really becomes a snake. Xuxian is scared to the point of death. Bai Suzhen loves him so much that she makes her way to the mountains to get the immortal herb which can save Xuxian's life, but the guardians of the mountain refuse to give the herb to her. The guardians fight with Bai Suzhen and are impressed with her prowess, and she manages to steal the needed herbs.

Picking up the Jade Bracelet 拾玉镯: This is a love story. A young scholar, Fu, meets a beautiful young lady and he loves her at first sight. He deliberately drops a jade bracelet on the ground and then leaves. If the lady picks it up, she is accepting his suit.

Eighteen warriors (arhats) fighting Wukong 十八罗汉斗悟空: This is an adaptation of a chapter from a classical novel. Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, is making havoc in the heavenly palace with his mischievous tricks. He is captured and thrown into the Eight Trigram Furnace. Instead of being burnt to ashes, his body is tempered by the heat; and he develops a pair of fiery eyes with golden pupils. He breaks out of the furnace and fights his way out of the palace. The Jade Emperor asks the Buddha to conquer him. The Buddha leads his disciples, eighteen warriors to fight against Sun Wukong in a spectacular acrobatic battle. In the end, Sun Wukong kicks them all off Huaguo Mountain.

Theatre recommended:

Zheng-Yi Temple Theatre 正乙祠大戏楼

Tel: 83153150

Address: 220，Xiheyan, Qianmen 宣武门烤鸭店南胡同内

Hours: 19:15-21:00 every night

Ticket: 150-250 yuan ($19-31)

Transportation from our hotel: Bus 25 to Xuanwumen 宣武门, 25 minutes, pay 1 yuan on

the bus. Taxi takes 20 minutes, pay 18 yuan fare.

·The theatre was established in year of 1667.

Liyuan Theatre 前门饭店梨园剧场

Tel: 63016688-8862

Address: Qianmen Hotel 前门饭店

Hours: 19:30-21:00 every night

Ticket: 30-500 yuan ($4-60)

Transportation from our hotel : Bus 25 to Hufangqiao 虎坊桥, 20 minutes, pay 1 yuan on the bus. Taxi takes 15 minutes, pay 15 yuan fare.

· The theatre is on the first floor of a hotel.

· The plays , < Eighteen Arhats Fighting Wukong>, < Picking up the Jade Bracelet> and < Stealing the Immortal Herbs> are standard repertoires and are performed in rotation nightly.

The front desk of our hotel will provide more detail information you need.