Beijing (Peking) Opera
Peking opera or Beijing opera (Chinese: 京剧; pinyin: Jīngjù) is a form of Chinese opera which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics.
Peking opera features four main types of performers. Performing troupes often have several of each variety, as well as numerous secondary and tertiary performers. With their elaborate and colorful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Peking opera's characteristically sparse stage. They use the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic. Above all else, the skill of performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Peking opera features four main types of performers. Performing troupes often have several of each variety, as well as numerous secondary and tertiary performers. With their elaborate and colorful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Peking opera's characteristically sparse stage. They use the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic. Above all else, the skill of performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
RESOURCES:
Books:
Websites:
Types of Roles
Beijing Opera aspects
Facts and Details - Peking Opera
News Article - fragile Art Form - NY Times
The Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven
Peking Opera Training in China
Interview with Peking Opera Master - needs Abode flash
RESOURCES ON THIS SITE
Master Class by Mr Guan - Workshop on Wu dan double sword; Monkey King's spear sequence, fight sequence between Monkey King and
Evil Wu dan; female Walk, Male Walk and leading a horse.
DISCOVER China - Workshops on : Wielding a spear: Fighting: Riding a horse; Water; Open door; Expressing emotion
Websites:
Types of Roles
Beijing Opera aspects
Facts and Details - Peking Opera
News Article - fragile Art Form - NY Times
The Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven
Peking Opera Training in China
Interview with Peking Opera Master - needs Abode flash
RESOURCES ON THIS SITE
Master Class by Mr Guan - Workshop on Wu dan double sword; Monkey King's spear sequence, fight sequence between Monkey King and
Evil Wu dan; female Walk, Male Walk and leading a horse.
DISCOVER China - Workshops on : Wielding a spear: Fighting: Riding a horse; Water; Open door; Expressing emotion
All assignments shared with permission of the authour. Please cite the sources if being used - Thanks
Catherine Rankin: What Movement skills are significant for the Wu dan character in Beijing/Peking Opera
| beijingoperaassignment.pdf |
Jessie D: What training and gestural knowledge is needed for an actor of the Wu Chou role in the ‘fight in the dark’ scene in “The Crossroads” Peking Opera play?
| student-example_research-investigation.pdf |