Peking Opera Revival

Tucked away in a small hutong behind Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, Zhengyi Ci is located in a gray-walled courtyard in Beijing's Dashila area, where old Peking Opera houses were once concentrated.

A Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) temple converted into an opera theater in 1712, Zhengyi Ci was the first all-wooden indoor theater and is the best preserved of its kind in China.

"At the turn of the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, people enjoyed opera performed on an open stage rather than an enclosed stage like that of Zhengyi Ci," explained producer Wang Xiang. "The reopening of the theater with the repertoire of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang is an attempt to restore the glamour of the ancient theatrical art for modern audiences to taste."

Wang said that with renowned drama director Li Liuyi at the helm and featuring a strong cast from the Mei Lanfang Troupe of Peking Opera, Mei Lanfang Classics is a fitting reopenning celebration.

The production includes six classics from the 160 repertoires of famous Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, including Drunken Beauty, The Goddess of Luo River and Farewell My Concubine.

"These repertoires represent Peking Opera at its highest level and were all created by Mei Lanfang himself. Featuring history and make-believe, the production will bring to life some of Mei Lanfang's most extravagant literary and martial arts works," Wang added.

Mei's Drunken Beauty premiered in 1914 and introduced his ideas of posture, footwork and acting. "New choreography like fan dancing and drunken step, specifically designed for this work, illustrates the elegant and poised style of the Mei Lanfang School to the fullest extent," Wang explained.

Elite actors including Hu Wenge, Dong Yuanyuan and Li Hongyan will play the lead roles in the new production with Peking Opera master Mei Baojiu, the son of Mei Lanfang as artistic director and veteran Peking Opera artist Chi Jinsheng adding to the work's depth.

Avant-garde theatrical director Li Liuyi is behind Mei Lanfang Classics, bringing a modern touch to the ancient art form.

"Instead of the traditional set of one table and two chairs of Peking Opera, audiences will see a multimedia backdrop featuring heavy snow on the stage, with snow falling from the ceiling in the auditorium at the same time in Farewell My Concubine," Li explained. "While maintaining the artistic essence of Mei Lanfang's repertoires, modern stage technologies are being introduced to appeal to young audience members."

Wang, also producer of the successfully-revived Kunqu Opera classic Peony Pavilion, currently being staged in a 15th century imperial granary converted into a theater, said that Mei Lanfang Classics is drawing on Peony's success strategies and should appeal to a wide audience.

With English subtitles, Mei Lanfang Classics is also being touted as a great treat for foreign residents and travelers.

"In the past, we often fell for the misconception that foreign audiences are only interested in martial arts scenes in Peking Opera. After traveling abroad extensively with the Mei Lanfang Troupe, we came to understand the art of the Mei Lanfang School and Peking Opera is universal and can transcend language barrier like Western opera," said Fu Boyang, deputy director of the troupe.

Scheduled to run at Zhengyi Ci from October 12 to 22, producers hope that the show will continue as a residential performance.

"We'll decide the frequency of the show according to audience reaction and market demand. We have confidence in the prospect of the performance and we hope we can contribute to the revival of Peking Opera in a sustainable way," Wang said.

Ticket prices on the first floor range from 180- 280 yuan ($27-$42) with the box on the second floor, which can accommodate 12 people, costing 18,000 ($2,690) with traditional tea and snacks, according to Wang.