Bell International School in Shanghai’s Jin Qiao Road, Pu Dong New Area was the venue for Double Dragon Alliance’s recent workshop on Peking Opera.
Bell International School contacted DDA, following a recommendation from the British Consulate’s Cultural & Education Section, to organize an event focusing on Chinese culture for their “English Language Assistants Programme”.
Bell School, in cooperation with the British Council , annually host a contingent of British language assistants, who come to China on a language teaching exchange programme.
The party of around 80 British student-teachers have come on a sabbatical to teach English in various schools around China, with their counterparts heading to the UK to teach Chinese in British schools.
Bell School hosted the language assistants for a two-week programme, introducing them to Chinese life, culture and society, helping them acclimatize to their new lives here in China, before the start of the new academic year.
As part of the programme, Double Dragon Alliance were invited to provide an introduction to Peking Opera to let the party of British guests experience a taste of traditional Chinese culture, as well as just enjoy an interesting and fun activity during their stay.
DDA again cooperated with Ms Yang Ya Nan and her colleagues from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Ms Zhao Wen Jing, Mr Yan Run Lei, Mr Lu Jian Zhong and Mr Feng Yu, to put on a fun and interactive workshop, introducing a variety of aspects from Peking Opera; including a performance from a section of the “The Three Crossroads”, some of the singing, acting, gestures and footwork related to the different characters, the costumes and make up, plus the different weapons used in performances and some of the techniques employed in their usage and training.
The UK guests also had many chances to try out for themselves the singing, acting and weapons play; plus the movements and voices of some of Peking Opera’s favourite characters like Wu Chou (Martial Clown), Wu Sheng (Young Martial Male Lead) , Sun Wu Kong (The Monkey King), Lao Dan (Old Lady Character) and Hua Shan (Young Female Lead).
The evening was highly enjoyable, with the guests throwing themselves into the parts with great enthusiasm, and there were quite a few “budding” Peking Opera fans in the audience by the end of the activity.
Many of them had had no experience of Peking Opera before the workshop, or were unfamiliar with the meanings behind many of the performances.
There was also a great appreciation for the amount of time, practice and commitment necessary to be a Peking Opera actor and everyone was impressed by the three performer’s skill and ability.
We were treated to some great demonstrations of swordsmanship by Ms Zhao and spear play by Mr Lu, plus some very fancy “clown” footwork and acrobatics by Mr Yan.
The evening ended with a Question & Answer session, where the audience had the chance to ask the performer’s about their own favourite operas and experiences performing, as well as their student life in high school and university studying Peking Opera.
The event proved to be great fun, as well as very informative and with help from DDA assistants Faye, Angela, Nick, Susan and Fern translating some of the questions, taking photos, operating the PPT and generally taking care of the guests, the evening was a wonderful chance for all of us to appreciate one of China’s most traditional arts.
Thanks again to all the Language Assistants who were such great sports and to Bell International School for inviting us to take part in their summer programme.
If you would like DDA to organize a similar activity for your school or association, please contact Rose Oliver for more details.