10 years after their last visit to the UK in 2005, the China National Peking Opera Company returns to the UK at both the Liverpool Echo Arena Auditorium (13 – 15 November) and London's Sadler's Wells (19 – 22 November).
China National Peking Opera Company will be performing two masterpieces for UK audiences: Warrior Women of Yang and the full-length European première of Farewell My Concubine. This is a rare opportunity to catch the fine art of Peking Opera on the UK stage from one of China's most pre-eminent performing companies with two of its legendary stars Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu.
In 2005 the critics were certainly enthusiastic, with the sometimes prickly Clement Crisp, for the Financial Times, writing,
It remains for me one of the most thrilling, most penetratingly true of theatrical experiences.
The rarely seen Warrior Women of Yang is a story of grief, courage, patriotism and family loyalty. Farewell My Concubine is a renowned classical piece, a beautiful and harrowing story of political unrest, love, sacrifice and honour.
The Peking Opera is a unique art form. To achieve the highest level of performing skills often requires a lifelong dedication to practising the art. Most of the artists have to train from a very tender age at opera school before being an apprentice and learning from the masters. Despite the spectacular costumes, face painting make-up and stunning stage craft, Peking Opera represents the essence of tradition Chinese value – whatever you would like to achieve, you must work hard through sweat and tears and resist from material temptation.
In the climate of a largely westernised China, there are still artists who are passionate about the traditional form of Chinese artistic heritage and devote their lives to preserving the century old form of art. The artists from National Peking Opera Company continue to pursuit their dream of keeping this ancient Chinese art form alive and sharing its beauty and stagecraft with the world.
LIVERPOOL
China National Peking Opera Company
Venue: Liverpool Echo Area Auditorium, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP
Dates: 13 – 15 November
Times: 7.30pm daily plus 2.00pm Sunday matinee
Tickets: £25 – £85
Booking: www.echoarena.com / 0844 8000 400
Repertoire:
Friday 13 November, 7.30pm Warrior Women of Yang
Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm Farewell My Concubine
Sunday 15 November, 2.00pm Farewell My Concubine
Sunday 15 November, 7.30pm Warrior Women of Yang
LONDON
China National Peking Opera Company
Venue: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN
Dates: 19 – 22 November
Times: 7.30pm daily plus 2.00pm Saturday matinee
Tickets: £25 – £85
Booking: www.sadlerswells.com / 0844 412 4300
Repertoire:
Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm Warrior Women of Yang
Friday 20 November, 7.30pm Farewell My Concubine
Saturday 21 November, 2.00pm Farewell My Concubine
Saturday 21 November, 7.30pm Warrior Women of Yang
Sunday 22 November, 7.30pm Warrior Women of Yang
Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.
His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.
