Xiqu

EXCERPTS:
Leaving the Monastery (Gaoqiang)

This is an episode in the Monk Mulian Series in Qi Opera.The actor playing the novice monk would express the character’s internal turmoil through the stunt of turning the prayer beads.

A novice monk, Benwu, happens upon a bridal procession, and moved by the excitement and fun, he begins to yearn for secular life. So he revokes his monastic vow, dashes out of the monastery, and escapes to the world at the foot of the mountain.

A Novice Monk and a Young Nun Revoking Their Vows (Gaoqiang)

This is an episode in the Monk Mulian Series in Qi Opera. The actors playing the novice monk and the young nun tell the story of how they meet, get to know each other, fall in love, and finally decide to fight the feudalistic social rules and elope. The insightful details demonstrate their emotional changes lively.

A novice monk and a young nun have escaped from their respective places of practice. They meet on the road and in the end, decide to revoke their vows, get married and start a new life together.

Lady Zhaojun Going Beyond the Great Wall (Gaoqiang)

This is from the traditional gaoqiang repertory of Qi Opera, and is considered a tour de force for any dan (female) actor. The singing must contain all the nuances, changes and depths of feelings of the heroine. One of the most famous interpretations was by Xie Meixian, a veteran virtuoso in Qi Opera of the 1950’s, which took the whole country by storm.

When the Huns invade Han, the weakling emperor only wants to appease them by sending Wang Zhaojun as the bride in a political marriage. As Zhaojun takes the long journey, she expresses her sadness, her longing for home, and indignation for the country under the fatuous ruler. When the two countries have signed a peace pact, she throws herself into the river in heroic defiance.

The Female Thief at the Bridal Chamber (Tanqiang)

This is from the traditional Tanqiang repertory of Qi Opera. It is demonstrative of the martial art skills of an actor in wudan (military female) roles, including the acrobatic skill of bending backwards on a high platform. In addition, the actor is also expected to deliver fine singing and acting.

A woman by the surname of Mei comes from a poor family. She disguises herself as a man and a secret “runner” who steals from the rich to give to the poor. One day, she sees that the young lady at the Bai Residence is forced into marriage by the corrupt mayor, she offers to take her place. In the bridal chamber, she steals all the jewels and escapes.

Sima Shi Purges the Court (Tanqiang)

This is a fine example of the expressiveness of actors in hualian (painted face) roles in Qi Opera. The actor needs to demonstrate other specific techniques such as the use of the court robe, the beard, the eyes and the stylized movements to externalize emotions and reactions.

Cao Fang is the puppet emperor of Wei under the powerful regent, Sima Shi. He attempts to take back state power by seeking the help of Zhang Ji, the father of his trusted consort, Lady Zhang. He writes an edict in blood, gives it to Zhang Ji to pass on to the princes of the vassal states in seeking their assistance to rid the Sima brothers. But Sima Shi gets suspicious. He orders the squadron leaders to block the palace gate, finds the edict written in blood, and kills Zhang Ji with a swipe of his sword.

Fan Zhongyu Beaten and Thrown into a Crate (Tanqiang)

This is an excerpt from Wreaking in Havoc at the Ge Residence. The crate used in this excerpt is what the travelling troupes use for holding weapon props. There is a tie string on the lid to keep it closed. The actor playing Fan Zhongyu needs to curl up in the crate before the act. This is followed by some fast acrobatic feats – “thrice opening the lid”, “thrice leaping out” and “thrice falling back”. The demanding performance demonstrates the actor’s dexterity and body-and-limb control, which makes this playlet one of the unique features in Qi Opera.

The new National Top Scholar Fan Zhongyu has gone missing. Judge Bao sends his men out to look for him. Two officers find Fan in a crate, but he has suffered a lot under the cruel handling of the despot and gone out of his mind. He pulls some tricks on them by rolling, turning and leaping in and out of the crate before he goes with the officers to see Judge Bao.