A new Peking Opera production, "New Dragon Inn," adapted from the movie "New Dragon Inn," has come to Beijing over the weekend. It centers around themes of love and righteousness, featuring some fast-paced action sequences and martial arts stunts, which provide just the right ingredients for a Peking Opera production.
When Peking Opera meets a martial arts classic... the production "New Dragon Inn" is born. The story follows a swordsman named Zhou Huai'an and his fiancee Qiu Moyan, who protect two orphaned children from being persecuted by a power-hungry eunuch and his elite army.
The couple tries to find refuge at the Dragon Gate Inn, where the innkeeper Jin Xiangyu, falls in love with Zhou and becomes involved with his cause.
Peking Opera-version "New Dragon Inn" staged at the National Center for the Performing Arts. /CGTN Photo
This bold creation was inspired by the 1992 movie "New Dragon Inn," which is recognized as one of the best martial arts movies of all time.
Hu Xuehua, a veteran director who staged the show, said Peking Opera in China is akin to musicals in the West, and he believes the opera's story and pursuit of aesthetics will find their way to the audience.
"When I was young, I studied a little bit of Peking Opera and I adore it, deep in my heart. And later I work on film and television, I sort of like subconsciously combine those things together," Hu told CGTN.
The two heroines, Jin Xiangyu and Qiu Moyan, with completely different characteristics, are both played by Shi Yihong. She said this production has challenged her to challenge her limit as a Peking Opera artist.
A still from the Peking Opera, "New Dragon Inn". /CGTN Photo
"Qiu is very introverted while Jin is quite fierce and fervent, like a wild rose in the desert,” Shi said, adding ”She is different from any other women in the Peking Opera repertoire. As an innkeeper, she is used to dealing with all kinds of people, taking advantage of them by any means. She is sharp and intuitive and often unpredictable. It took me a while to step into her shoes and get comfortable."
In contrast to the simple settings and choreography found in traditional Peking Opera, "New Dragon Inn" also features innovative martial arts moves and stage and costume designs.
Director Hu added, "The aesthetics is very important because now we make plays for all the audiences of today, not yesterday, you have to let audience understand the quality of Peking Opera, at the same time you have to let them understand what happens in the future."
After its Beijing leg, the production will head to Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
(Cover image via CGTN)