London is set to welcome the internationally renowned China National Peking Opera Company (CNPOC) for its highly anticipated appearance at Sadler’s Wells, presenting UK audiences with the astonishing opportunity to experience the quintessence of Chinese culture.
China National Peking Opera Company bring two of the world’s finest exponents of the art form, the legendary stars Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu as part of a troupe of 65 performers who are set to fill the stage at Sadler’s Wells with two spectacular shows.
The Emperor and the Concubine is the beautiful love story championed by Peking Opera Master Mei Lanfang. This is one of the very few works from the master Mei Lanfang’s that has been handed down since the 1920s. It showcases perfectly the masterful art of Peking Opera with its elegant and enchanting dance, song, music and drama and represents the outstanding features of Mei School.
The romantic story is based on an historic event in Tang Dynasty when the Emperor Tang Ming Huang who was mourning the death of his adored concubine, the beautiful YANG Yuhuan, a Taoist Nun. They greatly entranced each other, and such was the strength of his passion that the Emperor began to neglect the affairs of state. Consequently the An Lushan rebels saw the opportunity and rose up to conquer the land. A necessary fate follows with a heart-breaking twist.
This production combines the greatest elements of the Peking Opera art form and it is presented at the highest artistic standing of the Mei School by the China National Peking Opera Company.
On Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm the CNPOC showcase the spectacular mime, acrobatic and comedy skills of Peking Opera in a double bill of short mime and martial arts plays The Crossroads Inn & The Monkey King and The Leopard.
The Crossroad Inn, a short martial arts play, is famous for its humour and elaborate ‘fight in the dark’ scene. The expert mime and martial art skills will amaze and delight the audience as two amusing characters attempt to find and fight each other in the dark on a stage bathed in light.
The Crossroad Inn
The second half of this double bill features the mythical folklore story of the legendary Monkey King and his buddies who seek justice for the villagers who are being bullied by the Evil Leopard Spirit. The story, underpinned by the traditional Chinese value of ‘Praising the Virtue and Punishing the Vice’, highlights the stunning acrobatic skills as the Monkey King and his friends battle the wicked Leopard Spirit.
The Monkey King and the Leopard
Achieving the high levels of performance skills required in the art of Peking Opera requires a lifelong dedication. Most of the artists train from a very young age at opera school before becoming an apprentice and learning from the masters of this incredible art form. It takes a very special dedication and passion to endure the intensive training to become a profession artist and not everyone is guaranteed success. Despite the spectacular costumes, face painting make-up and stunning stage craft, Peking Opera represents the essence of traditional Chinese values – whatever you would like to achieve, you must work hard through sweat and tears and resist material temptation.
Sinolink Productions is a London-based production company specialising in Chinese arts, culture and performances, created to connect Chinese culture to British audiences. Their well established and close links with the world of arts and entertainment in China allow them to continue to bring the best of China’s art and culture to the world.
Kevin Zhang, director, Sinolink Productions said: “It’s a very exciting time for Chinese arts and culture in the UK, as appetite among British audiences continues to flourish. We’re proud to see the return for the fourth year the exquisite talent of the Chinese National Peking Opera Company to London, and it’s an honour to delight and inspire audiences with an art form they have rare opportunity to indulge in. Once again, the stage will be filled with an array of exciting acrobatics, superlative vocals and music amidst the drama of love versus patriotism, a fight against oppressors and the comedy of mistaken identity.”
Additional events surrounding these performances will be announced shortly.
The Emperor and the Concubine
Sadler’s Wells, London
Tickets - £85/£65/£55/£35/£25
19th October – 7.30pm
20th October – 7.30pm
Act 1 (65min) Act 2 (55min)
A rare opportunity to see the China National Peking Opera Company perform in the UK. This beautiful, love story, a masterpiece championed by the Peking Opera Master Mei Lanfang, showcases the masterful art of Peking Opera with its elegant and enchanting dance, song and music. This production combines the greatest elements of the Peking Opera art form and it is presented at the highest artistic standing of the Mei School by the China National Peking Opera Company.
The Crossroads Inn & The Monkey King and The Leopard
Sadler’s Wells, London
Tickets - £55/£45/£35/£25/£15
20th October – 2.30pm
A double bill of short mime and martial arts plays by the China National Peking Opera Company showcasing the spectacular mime, acrobatic and comedy skills of Peking Opera.
Act 1 - The Crossroads Inn (40min)
The Crossroad Inn, a short martial arts play, is famous for its humour and elaborate ‘fight in the dark’ scene. The expert mime and martial art skills will amaze and delight the audience as two amusing characters attempt to find and fight each other in the dark on a stage bathed in light.
IMAGES OF THE CROSSROADS INN
Act 2 – The Monkey King and the Leopard (50min)
This is a mythical folklore story of the legendary Monkey King and his buddies who seek justice for the villagers who are being bullied by the Evil Leopard Spirit. The story, underpinned by the traditional Chinese value of ‘Praising the Virtue and Punishing the Vice’, highlights the stunning acrobatic skills as the Monkey King and his friends battle the wicked Leopard Spirit.
MORE INFORMATION
The Emperor and the Concubine is romantic story based on an historic event in Tang Dynasty. The Emperor, Tang Ming Huang who was mourning the death of his adored concubine, met the beautiful YANG Yuhuan a Taoist Nun, when he was strolling in the palace gardens. Awestruck by her beauty, the Emperor courted Yang and she became his precious concubine. Yang, joyful at the Emperor’s attention and her new status showed her gratitude by performing a rarely seen dance in a rainbow-coloured and feathered costume for him in the Pear Garden. The Emperor was so moved by the dance that greatly honoured her by accompanying her on the drums. This beautiful dance earned Yang enormous prestige and love from the Emperor which her entire family profited from.
However, the Emperor was unpredictable and volatile and suddenly without explanation he exiled Yang. Though, it was not long before, the Emperor deeply regretted his actions, and with help from his trusted advisor Gao Lishi, Yang was welcomed back to the palace. On the eve of Qixi, Chinese Valentine day, the couple vowed to love each other forever.
Such was the strength of his passion for Yang, the Emperor began to neglect the affairs of state. Consequently, the An Lushan rebels saw this as a great opportunity and rose up to conquer the land. However, the Emperor, instead of supporting his nation, fled the fighting with his beloved concubine. His people, greatly angered, believed Yang to be the reason for the rebel attacks and the military demanded the Emperor to execute her and resume his loyalty to the military and his people.
Yang learns the Emperor has been tasked with her murder. However, such is her love for him, instead of escaping she decides to help him resume his full allegiance to his nation and save him the horrendous task of being her executioner. Yang takes her own life.
The Crossroads Inn, a short martial arts play, is famous for its humour and elaborate ‘fight in the dark’ scene showcasing some of the spectacular skills in Peking Opera. The expert mime and martial art skills will amaze and amuse the audience as two characters attempt to find and fight each other in the dark.
Jiao Zan, the great General of Song Dynasty, was falsely framed by a traitor minister and exiled from the capital city. On the journey of exile, Jiao and two other banished officers decided to rest overnight in the Crossroads Inn owned by Liu Lihua. Secretly following Jiao and his companions was the trusted and loyal Ren Tanghui who wanted to protect Jiao from danger. He also rested overnight in the Crossroads Inn. The Inn owner, Liu Lihua was a fair and upstanding citizen, but he misunderstood Ren’s motives and assumed him to be an enemy with intentions of murdering Jiao. Consequently, the two righteous heroes fought in the dark. When Jiao heard the noise, he went to investigate and eventually the misunderstanding between the two righteous fighters was discovered.
The Monkey King and the Leopard
This is a mythical folklore of the legendary Monkey King’s seeking justice for the villagers, tormented by the Evil Leopard Spirit, a story underpinned by the traditional Chinese value of ‘Praising the Virtue and Punishing the Vice’.
As part of the Monkey King series, this production focuses on the rivalry between Monkey King and the evil Leopard Spirit. The story begins with the Leopard Spirit, a tyrant at the Hongmei Mountain, threatening to kidnap and marry the young daughter of Deng Hong, a local aristocratic. The Monkey King and his pals: Pigsy, Sandy Monk, Master Tang Seng and White-Dragon Horse happen to pass through the village. When they hear of Deng and his daughter’s plight, they decide to help.
Monkey King and Pigsy magically transform themselves into the shapes and looks of Deng’s daughter and her maid, waiting for the Leopard Spirit in hope of capturing him. Upon his arrival, a big fight ensues. However, the Leopard manages to escape after losing the battle.
Angered by the deception, the Leopard is determined to seek revenge and sets a trap for the Monkey King. The Monkey King foresees the Leopard’s plan and goes to the Heavenly Guards for backup. The fight soon escalates into a spectacular battle leading to the triumph of the Monkey King and the defeat of the Leopard.
This glorious Peking Opera Masterpiece has gained its worldwide reputation for the wicked sense of humour, the spellbinding acrobatics and the dramatic characters.
BIOGRAPHIES
Yu Kuizhi
Yu Kuizhi is the Artistic Director of China National Peking Opera Company and a National Class-A actor with a postgraduate degree and enjoys government special allowance for artist. He is currently a delegate of the 18th Communist Party Conference (CPC) and a deputy to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC).
Yu was born in Shenyang, Liaoning in 1961 and started professional training in Shenyang Peking Opera Theater from 1972. In 1978 he was admitted into National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing to further his study. Upon his graduation in 1982, he joined China National Peking Opera Company until now. He was enrolled into National Peking Opera Outstanding Young Actor Graduate Class in 1998 and graduated in 2001.Yu received tutoring from many famous artists like Huang Yunpeng, Yang Yuanyong, Ye Peng, Li Shilin, Wang Shixu, He Jinhai, Kong Yan, Liu Fusheng, Li Mingsheng, Ru Yuanjun, ZhuYuankun and so on. He was the Troupe One Director of National Chinese Peking Opera Company from 2001 to 2010 and then promoted to be the Vice President and Artistic Director of the Company in March 2010.
He is delegate of the 16th, 17th and 18th CPC, delegate of the 9th, 10th and 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delegate of the 11th ESCHS (Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports) Committee of CPPCC, deputy to the 12th NPC, member of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Board and chairman of the Youth Federation of Ministry of Culture. He is awarded the 12th National Ten Outstanding Youths Honor, the National Outstanding Special Talent Honor, the National Labor Day Labor Honor and the National Moral Artist Honor.
Over the years, Yu has continued to pursue artistic competence in Peking Opera, following the traditional rules while developing his own natural and vivid performing style. He cooperates with many outstanding artists for high quality performances. His repertoires include classical plays like Yang Warriors, Loss of Jieting· The Empty City· Killing Ma Su, Wu Zixu, Reunion of Officer Yang and His Mother, Golden Brick, Wild boar Forest, and new plays like Tang Dynasty Concubine, Yuan Chonghuan, Up and Down of Apricot Flag, Silk Road and Great Wall, Mei Lanfang, Going West, Red Cliff, Bosom Friends, Xian Incident.
He has earned the following awards in his career:
1987 National Peking Opera Young Actor Television Competition Best Performance Award
1989 7th Chinese Drama Association Plum Blossom Award
1991 National Peking Opera Young Actor Television Competition Best Performance Award
1993 Mei Lanfang Gold Medal
1995 National Peking Opera Star Award
2003 Chinese Gold Phonograph Record Award
2008 Works of Excellence on the Nation’s Stage Award
2010 Splendor Award (for professional theatrical artworks)
2010 Chinese Performers Public Image Award --- Huading Award
Yu has toured many countries and is received with great applause everywhere.
Li Shengsu
Li Shengsu is a renowned Peking Opera artist. She is the Troupe One Director of China National Peking Opera Company and a National Class-A actor. She is also delegate of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, member of the Executive Committee of All-China Women's Federation, member of National Youth Federation, member of the Youth Federation of Ministry of Culture and enjoys government special allowance for artist.
Li was born in Hebei in 1966 and started professional training in Hebei Arts Academy in 1979. Upon graduation in 1986, she became the leading artist of Hebei Handan Peking Opera Troupe. In 1991 she transferred to Shanxi Peking Opera Theater to be the Chief of Mei Lanfang Youth Peking Opera Troupe. She entered National Peking Opera Outstanding Young Actor Graduate Class to pursue advanced studies in 1998. After graduation in 2001, she was referred as a special talent artist to be transferred to China National Peking Opera Company.
Li is talented in singing and acting and has managed to inherit Master Mei Lanfang's elegant yet vivid performing style. Her repertoires include classical plays like Lian Jinfeng, Moonlighter Hongxian, Drunken Concubine, Tale of Concubine, River Luo Goddess, Farewell My Concubine, Commander Mu Guiying, Legend of White Snake, Willow Shadow, Phoenix Reunion, Women Warriors of Yang and new plays like Tang Dynasty Concubine, Yuan Chonghuan, Silk Road and Great Wall, Mei Lanfang , Going West, Red Cliff, Bosom Friends, Xian Incident.
She has earned the following awards in her career:
1987 National Peking Opera Young Actor Television Competition Outstanding Performance Award
1991 National Peking Opera Young Actor Television Competition Best Performance Award
1992 Ministry of Culture New Repertoire Outstanding Performance Award
1995 13th Chinese Drama Association Plum Blossom Award
2003 Chinese Gold Phonograph Record Award;
2008 Works of Excellence on the Nation’s Stage Award
2010 National Theatre Performing Competition Best Performance Award
In 2004, Li performed Peking Opera in the Musikverein Golden Saal, Vienna, Austria. She has also toured many countries to promote Peking Opera.
Sinolink create opportunities in business, education, art and the creative industries to link, exchange and share knowledge between the UK and China. They operate various training and exchange programmes within healthcare, deliver training in cultural awareness, provide translation services, arrange education and vacation tours and provide an international stage for China’s performing artists.
Sinolink Productions has been created as a vehicle to share the best of China’s Art and Culture with the world. Our team have backgrounds in theatre, film and music and our director Kevin Zhang was the founder member of the London Jingkun Opera Association and a Chinese Peking Opera performer himself. Therefore, with our experience in producing stimulating study tours between the UK and China and our naturally forged links with the Chinese world of entertainment it seemed a natural progression to link these connections and create a bridge to the world for some of the finest artists from China.
