Kunqu Opera appeals to young people as famous troupe turns 60

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By CGTN's Sun Ye, Gao Boyuan, Meng Fanke

China's Kunqu Opera Theater celebrates its 60th anniversary this June.

Kunqu, the oldest branch of traditional Chinese opera, was once an endangered art form but today is alive and kicking with bold plans for the future.

Even though those working in the opera have sported the same look for the last six hundred years, they’ve also witnessed marked changes.

Weng Jiahui and Zhu Bingzhen, best-known as the tragic lovebirds in "Dream of the Red Chamber", have been involved in Kunqu Opera for twenty years.

Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre rendition of A Dream of Red Mansions/CFP photo

Weng, who plays the male lead Jia Baoyu, said the majority of audience members had grey hair when she was young.

“Back then I thought, do people my age even know of this art? But the last few years have been so different." she said, "Kunqu is getting into schools and colleges. Audiences are getting younger by the day. And these people, my peers, grow with me and the art. “

The pair are among the first students of Kunqu following a twenty-year hiatus. And it has not been easy to find their way.

Zhu Bingzhen in preparation for a show. /CGTN photo

Zhu Bingzhen, in the role of Lin Daiyu, said, “I used to wonder, what does my art mean? But the day 'Dream of the Red Chamber' went onto the big screen... all the people stood up. The standing ovation lasted five minutes. That was the moment that I knew, this is my mission in the world.”

“Dream of the Red Chamber”, a classic Kunqu piece, was adapted into a film in 2015.

Since then, Kunqu has won many new fans.

One high-school student said he would go to see the troupe’s anniversary show because, “I love Chinese traditional art. And I hope to let it be known to others. “

Another told CGTN that he’s attracted since “I come from Jiangsu. Kunqu is special to our region. It’s a part of my life. “

The troupe is staging a range of both classic and modern pieces for their June performances and it’s probably the last time the troupe will play in a theater that is not their own.

In two years, the troupe will move into a new theater, which will also feature a museum and training center. It is expected to seat at least 600 people.

Yang Fengyi, director of Norther Kunqu Opera Theatre/ CGTN photo

The troupe's director, Yang Fengyi, says the development of the art form is what the times call for.

“All levels of government have been giving us great support, in policy and in funding," she said, "Our young generation of artists are working extra hard. And we have a welcoming social environment. That's why we are here today. I'm not exaggerating here, but Kunqu, as with so many other traditional arts, is at its best time in history now. “