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On Wednesday 9th May, DDA’s Rose Oliver and Wang Ming Bo were invited to the Yi Fo theatre on Fu Zhou Rd, to enjoy a celebration of Peking and Kunqu Opera.
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The event was organized by Shanghai Municipal government and Guang Ming Middle School, as part of their ongoing programme to revive interest in and integrate traditional Chinese culture into their mainstream curriculum and build a base for the young generation to develop their appreciation and support for traditional Chinese culture, like Kunqu and Peking Opera, which like many old traditional cultures, are being replaced by modern pastimes and pursuits.
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Many students from Guang Ming School also performed in the event, writing calligraphy, painting, singing, acting and even taking part co-hosting the event.?
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With one of the teachers and a student from the school acting as comperes for the show, the school principal also came on stage to deliver a short opening speech and encourage the audience, (comprised of many of the students from the school, as well as dignitaries, special guests and Shanghai government representatives) to participate and enliven the show with correctly timed interactive responses to the performers’ efforts, and exclamations of “Hao!” at the appropriate time!
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Ms. Cao Hui, a frequent guest and collaborator with DDA and teacher at Guang Ming School introducing Peking Opera to the students, performed a scene from a Kunqu operetta, accompanied by two students writing calligraphy scrolls and creating a traditional Chinese painting on stage.
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The whole event was well attended and the many students in the audience were eager and enthusiastic in their welcoming of their peers on stage, with many “oohs”,? “aahs” and applause greeting their appearances.
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Rose and Wang Ming Bo also had the chance to go backstage and see some of the “behind-the-scenes” action, as performers warmed up or walked around in costume or make-up, making ready for their performance.
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Thank you to Ms. Cao Hui for her invitation to attend another memorable Peking and Kunqu Opera event.
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We hope more people, especially members of the international community, will have the opportunity to enjoy one of China’s oldest forms of traditional culture and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexities and skills required, plus the great time and effort performers put in to making their “effortless” and graceful performances on stage.