Xiqu

EXCERPTS:
Arhat Guizhi Banished to the Mortal World (Gaoqiang)

This is an episode in the Monk Mulian series in Qi Opera. It is rich in the gaoqiang features of Qi Opera, complete with the set tunes from the traditional sung repertoire.

In one of his discourse sessions, the Buddha notices that the Arhat Guizhi is not paying attention. His spirit has left his body to go to admire the prettiness of the mortal world, and in the course of it, he makes some magical world-saving moves. The Buddha warns him but to no avail, so he banishes him to the mortal world to suffer. This excerpt is therefore a prequel to the Mulian story, by introducing the background story to the mortal, Fu Luobo, later Monk Mulian.

Liu Gang Lamenting by the Well (Tanqiang)

This is an excerpt from the Qi Opera, The Red Silk Coat, and is considered a tour de force for any sheng (male) actor. The actor needs to portray the devastations of an old Confucian scholar, Liu Gang, when he feels compelled to make his daughter throw herself into the well in order not to tarnish the family name. Through delivery of lines, singing and stylized movements, he externalizes the deep remorse, shame, dilemma and regret.

On a snowy winter day, Squire Liu Gang returns home after a family visit, only to discover that Xue Li, a hired hand at his residence, is wearing the red silk coat that belongs to his daughter, Yingchun. He suspects them of having an affair, and thinks this would bring shame and loss of face to him and the family. Without investigating the truth, he chides his daughter for losing her chastity and forces her to throw herself into the well. After that, he feigns to be untouched and keeps a dignified front, while hiding his pain for the loss.

The Drunken Lu Zhishen Wreaking Havoc at the Monastery (Kunqiang)

Many special performing techniques in Qi Opera, such as the eyes, facial expressions, footwork, and belly-sucks, are fully demonstrated in this playlet. The varied eye expressions include cross-eyed, darting glances, white-eye, wincing, glare and drunken eyes. In depicting the Arhats, the performer has to stand on one leg for over ten minutes, while giving vividly discernible features of each of the Eighteen Arhats.

Lu Zhishen has escaped to Wutaishan and taken a monastic vow after he killed Zheng Tu. But soon he is weary of the reclusive life. One day, he goes out for a walk and runs into a wine-seller. He eagerly grabs the wine and downs it heartily. Totally drunk, he swaggers back to the monastery, wreaks havoc at the gate, then leaves with no turning back.

Under the Umbrella (Gaoqiang)

This is an episode in the Qi Opera, Worshipping the Moon. Qi Opera dan (female) role and sheng (male) role demonstrate the dance techniques to show the subtle romantic love between the youngsters. The interesting interaction is the source of comedic clashes.

Jiang Shilong, a scholar, and his sister, Ruilian, are fleeing from a military coup. But the two lose each other on the road. Wang Ruilan, the daughter of the Secretary of the Board of Military Affairs, is also fleeing with her mother but gets separated in the same way. When Shilong calls out to his sister, Ruilan mistakes him for calling her and comes to him. In such a dire situation, the two agree to accompany each other for the rest of their journey. Love blooms, and they become a couple.

Risking One’s Life at the Qin Residence (Tanqiang)

This is an excerpt from the full-length opera in the traditional repertory of Qi Opera, The Magic Lotus Lantern. It features an actor in hualian (painted face) role as the corrupt court official, Qin Chan, who is devastated by his son’s death. The unique feature of this playlet is that there is no singing throughout, only dialogues and dramatic action.

Liu Yanchang takes Wang Guiying, the daughter of the Prime Minister, as his second wife and they have a son, Chenxiang. Liu and his first wife Guiying also have a son, Qiuge. Chenxiang and his half-brother study in the same studio. Qin Guanbao, the son of the retired Grand Tutor, Qin Chan, is a bully among the students. One day, Chenxiang and Guanbao get into a fight because the latter insults him, and Guanbao is killed by accident. Qin Chan demands Liu to bring his son to his residence to make him suffer his retribution. Liu brings Qiuge instead. In a lynching trial, Qin Chan has the boy beaten to death. Liu and Guiying go to bring the body back, and engage in a fight with Qin Chan.

Huang Zhong Wounded by an Arrow (Tanqiang)

The singing in this playlet has its origin in the Tanqiang of the Northern School (Beilu). The actor performing the loasheng (old man) role needs to demonstrate convincing riding actions and fine acting. In addition, he needs to show the old general, Huang Zhong’s heroic flair through the use of the beard and the finely choreographed actions on horseback. The latter act is unique to Qi Opera.

The story takes place during the Three Kingdoms period. Liu Bei of Shu leads an expedition to Wu to avenge his sworn brother’s death. Huang Zhong, one of his generals, is over eighty, but still fights with valiance. He defeats two of the Wu generals, Shi Ji and Pan Zhang, and manages to seize back the broadsword that Guan Yu used. But when he tries to give chase to the retreating enemies, he is shot by an arrow from hiding. Fortunately he is rescued by Guang Xing and Zhang Bao and taken back to camp.