An hour before the show, the backstage (后台) was busy and noisy. Young male Peking Opera artists in their 20s were applying makeup, adjusting costumes, stretching, and clearing their throats. The air was filled with the sounds of traditional Chinese instruments.
“These young people started learning with me when they were just kids—now they’re adults, leading the shows themselves,” says Yang Shaochun, an 85-year-old Peking Opera master.
This weekend, four shows will be put on at Beijing People’s Theatre. Young wuxi artists will play the lead roles.
Wuxi, or martial (武术的) play, is the base of the fighting and movement part in Peking Opera. Wei Pengyu, a 29-year-old actor, was attracted to Peking Opera as a child—not by the music or stories at first, but by the colorful, amazing facial masks that brought the characters to life. At 14, he began training in Peking Opera, especially in wusheng—a male role type. “For me, stepping into the role of a hero is a dream come true,” he says.
“Playing wuxi isn’t just about action—it’s about expressing the character’s courage, justice (正义), loyalty and strength through movements,” says Xu Zhouyi, 25, another male actor.
Later that evening, a classic piece San Cha Kou was played by two young actors, Wu Zeyu and Shu Jiaxing. The viewers were attracted to the great scene and cheered for the actors’ excellent martial art movements.
Wu and Shu practiced together for nearly a year. “San Cha Kou is a test of trust between two actors. We have to read each other’s energy—know when one is speeding up or slowing down. Every movement must be perfectly counted to avoid real crashes while still looking dangerous,” says Wu.
更多优质学习内容
