Beating the Golden Branch (Da Jin Zhi)
Overview. Peking Opera Beating the Golden Branch (also called The Full Bed of Tablets, or Drunkenly Beating the Golden Branch) is a Tang-dynasty-themed comedy about the marital storm between Princess Shengping and Guo Ai — a subject also found in Jin opera, Yue opera, and other genres.
Synopsis. In the Tang, Princess Shengping, daughter of Emperor Daizong, is married to Guo Ai, son of the meritorious minister Guo Ziyi. On Guo Ziyi's birthday the princess, relying on her imperial favor, does not come to pay respects; Guo Ai, in anger, "beats the golden branch" and speaks disrespectfully. Guo Ziyi binds his son and goes to the court to plead guilty; the emperor and empress dissolve the matter with family affection, and father- and son-in-law are reconciled. The play writes of the warmth and humor between sovereign and minister, and between father-in-law and son-in-law.
Artistic Features. The play gives equal weight to sheng and dan; Guo Ai's youthful hot-headedness and Princess Shengping's coquettish petulance make a delightful contrast — a frequently performed family comedy in Peking Opera (and many genres).
Why Watch. With the comic conflict of "drunkenly beating the golden branch" and royal warmth, Beating the Golden Branch has become a household-name traditional famous play.
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