Bian Shusen
Bian Shusen is a National Class One Performer and a representative exponent of Sixian Opera, a genre inscribed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of China at National Level. He trained in the susheng (bearded male role) under Feng Guangting, one of the ‘Four Great Actors in Bearded Roles’, and Wang Yongchun. His repertoire spans xiaosheng (young civil male) and laosheng (old male) roles, and his singing styles cover both the robust and the gentle. His adept use of his voice to express emotions has made him the forerunner of a stylistic school known by his surname, the Bian School. He has a rich repertoire of well-known works to his name. His representative works include Li Tianbao Paying His Last Respects.
Zhang Helin
Zhang Helin is a National Class One Performer and a representative exponent of Sixian Opera, a genre inscribed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of China at National Level. He was born into a family of actors. He first received his operatic training under his father. At twelve he was already performing as lead actor in several plays. As a mentee of two maestros in Sixian Opera, Feng Guangting and Wang Yongchun, he is recognized to be the true exponent of their artistry. He sings with rounded, rich tones that can touch the audience’s heart. As for action stunts, he is known to choreograph with creativity. His representative works include The White Gauze Robe, The Empty Seal Box, Chasing After the Son-in-law.
Yu Junxian
Yu Junxian is a National Class Two Performer. She started her career in Sixian Opera at the age of eleven. She specializes in xiaosheng (young civil male role), and was coached by the famous artist of Sixian Opera, Wang Yongchun. She was also a mentee of the Jin Opera artist, Guo Fengying. She is endowed with a sonorous voice, sings with a broad range and clear diction, has a handsome stage persona, and performs with insight and distinct character. Her representative works are The Empty Seal Box, The White Gauze Robe andChasing After the Son-in-law.
Zhang Baoying
Zhang Baoying is a National Class One Performer. She has won many awards, including the Best Lead Actor at the Shanghai Magnolia Awards for Chinese Theatre – Performing Arts, the ‘Red Prunus’ Prize for Chinese Traditional Theatre, an Outstanding Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival, an Excellence Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Tournament of Hebei. Her representative works are The Empty Seal Box, The White Gauze Robe and The Legend of the White Snake.
Liu Ruduo
Liu Ruduo is a National Class One Performer and is the mentee of Xi Yanhong, a famous Peking Opera artist. He won a Silver Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre, an Excellence Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre Competition – Hebei Tournament, an Outstanding Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival. The representative works are The White Gauze Robe, The Empty Seal Box and Zhong Kui.
Cai Junping
Cai Junping is a National Class One Performer and won a Performance Award at the National Young Actors’ Grand Prix in Excerpts from Gems of Regional Opera, a Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival, a Class One Award for Performance at the ‘Hundred Flowers’ Award for Theatre of Hebei. The representative works are Kou Zhun with His Boots on His Back, The Number One Scholar as the Matchmaker, Five Daughters Offer Their Birthday Greetings.
Zhang Zhanguo
Zhang Zhanguo is a National Class Two Performer and won a Gold Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre, an Outstanding Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival. His representative works include The White Gauze Robe, The Empty Seal Box and Chasing After the Son-in-law.
Zhang Yong
Zhang Yong is a National Class Two Performer and won an Excellence Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre Competition – Hebei Tournament, an Outstanding Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival. His representative works include The Crossroad.
Zhang Shugai
Zhang Shugai is a National Class Two Performer. She won a Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival, a Gold Award at the Hebei ‘Red Prunus’ Competition for Theatre and a Class One Award at the Shijiazhuang Theatre Festival. Her representative works are The Empty Seal Box, The White Gauze Robe.
Zhao Hongli
Zhao Hongli is National Class Two Performer. She won an Excellence Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre Competition – Hebei Tournament, a Class One Award at the Yan-Zhao ‘Red Prunus’ Competition of Hebei, a Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival. Her representative works include Dreaming of Her Future Husband.
Wang Huiying
Wang Huiying is the disciple of Sixian Opera artist Bian Shusen. He also received coaching from Sixian Opera artist An Luchang in the repertoire of Kou Zhun with His Boots on His Back. He is the winner of an Outstanding Performance Award at the Hebei Theatre Festival, a Gold Award at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre, a Grand Prize at the ‘Red Prunus’ Chinese Traditional Theatre Competition – Hebei Tournament. His representative works are Li Tianbao Paying His Last Respects, Kou Zhun with His Boots on His Back.
Zhang Yu
Zhang Yu trained at the Shijiazhuang Art School under the famous artist of Sixian Opera, Yu Junxian, with a specialism in xiaosheng (young civil male role). She plays important roles at The White Gauze Robe and The Empty Seal Box. She won an Outstanding Young Actor Award at the Hebei Young Actors’ Prix in Excerpts.
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• With Chinese and English surtitles. • Please refer to the ‘Extension Activities’ page for details of other extension activities. • Each performance lasts approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. |
Click here to download the transcript.