Shi Xiaomei (Guest)
Famous kunqu artist, National Class One Performer. Shi specialises in xiaosheng (young male role) and has studied under Maestri Yu Zhenfei, Zhou Chuanying and Shen Chuanzhi. She has a wide repertoire portraying varying kinds of characters. Her performance is particularly acclaimed for her clear diction and rich emotions in her use of voice. She has created passionate characters who are masculine and elegant. Her style is unique and is well loved by kunqu audience. She has been awarded the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre and Wenhua Award. Her name is recorded in 5000 World Famous People and World Famous People (American Biography Society ed.). In 2002 she was endowed jointly by UNESCO and the Chinese Ministry of Culture with the title ‘A kunqu artist who has given prolonged dedication to the art and made distinctive achievements’.
Gong Yinlei
National Class One Performer, specialises in zhengdan (principal female) and guimendan (domestic female) roles. She has studied under Maestre Zhang Xian, Zhang Jiqing and Hu Jinfang. She is renowned for the subtlety and sensitivity in her performance, her elegant appearance on stage and skillful singing which shows the distinctive style of southern kunqu. She has played Du Liniang in The Peony Pavilion, Chen Miaochang in The Jade Hairpin, Madame Cui in Lanke Mountain, Jingniang in Accompanying Jingniang for Thousands of Miles. She has been awarded the Jiangsu Province Red Plum Competition Gold Award, Ministry of Culture Pear Garden Cup First Rank Award, and China Kunqu Art Festival Outstanding Performance Award.
Zhao Jian (Guest)
National Class One Performer, specialises in jing (painted-face role). He has studied under maestri Shen Chuankun and Xue Chuangang. He is esteemed highly among critics and audience for his solid skills. He excels in both dramatic and acrobatic roles, and in both expansive and subtle expressions. His voice is bright, his diction clear. His roles in traditional pieces include Lu Zhishen in The Mountain Gate, Zhang Fei in The Flower Pond, Zhong Kui in Accompanying the Sister to Her Wedding, Li Guo in Assassination and Su Kunsheng in The Peach Blossom Fan. Awards he has received include Jiangsu Province Theatre Purple Gold Award Outstanding Performance Award and China Kunqu Art Festival Honorary Performance Award.
Xu Yunxiu
National Class One Performer, specialises in dan (female role). She has studied under Maestre Yao Chuanxiang, Zhang Jiqing and Hu Jinfang. She has acted in The Peony Pavilion, The Peach Blossom Fan, The Injustice Done Onto Dou Er and Palace of Longevity. She has been awarded Kunqu Promotion Art Award by UNESCO and the Chinese Ministry of Culture jointly, China Kunqu Young Performer Exchange Orchid Award Best Performance Award, and Jiangsu Province Theatre Festival Outstanding Performance Award.
Li Hongliang
National Class One Performer, specialises in chou (clown) and fu (deviance) roles. Currently Deputy Director of Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kunqu Opera House. He has studied under Zhou Chuancang, Fan Jixin, Yao Jisun, Liu Yilong, Wang Shiyao and Zhang Jidie. His performance is renowned for the details and humour he puts in. He skills are solid and he plays a wide range of characters. He has played Wu Da in Street Parade, Lou Ashu in Fifteen Strings of Coins and Lu Fengxuan in Legend of Red Pear. He has received numerous national and overseas awards including the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre.
Shan Wen
An outstanding young performer, specialises in guimendan (domestic female role). She has studied under Gong Yinlei, Hu Jinfang, Wu Jijing, Kong Aiping and Zhang Jiqing. Her repertories included The Peony Pavilion, The Quiet Lady’s Chamber, The Jade Hairpin and1699 Peach Blossom Fan. She has been award National Xiqu Red Plum Teenage Group Gold Award, National Kunqu Outstanding Young Performers Showcase 10-Outstandings New Performer Award and China Xiqu Red Plum Golden Flower Award.
Shi Xiaming
An outstanding young kunqu performer, specialises in jinsheng (young civil male role). He has studied under Maestre Shi Xiaomei, Yue Meiti, Qian Zhenrong, Wang Bin and Cheng Min. He has acted in The Peony Pavilion, Legend of Red Pear, Competition of the Flowers and 1699 Peach Blossom Fan. He has been awarded National Kunqu Outstanding Young Performers Showcase 10-Outstandings New Performer Award, Jiangsu Province Xiqu Red Plum Gold Award, and China Xiqu Red Plum Golden Flower Award.
Xu Sijia
An outstanding young kunqu performer, specialises in zhengdan (principal female role). She has also learned wudan (fifth domestic female role). She has studied under Meastre Hu Jinfang, Liang Guyin and Gong Yinlei. She has played roles in Zhu Jiachen Divorcing His Wife, The Legend of the White Snake and Unusual Reunion. She has been awarded National Xiqu Red Plum Gold Award, and National Kunqu Outstanding Young Performers Showcase Performance Award.
Zhang Zhengyao
An outstanding young kunqu performer, specialises in jinsheng (young civil male role), also plays guansheng (official male role). He is a graduate of Jiangsu Theatre Institute Kunqu Class. He has studied under Meastre Shi Xiaomei, Yue Meiti, Qian Zhenrong, Cheng Min and Wang Bin. He has a pleasing stage appearance. His voice is bright and rich. He has acted in The Peony Pavilion, The Jade Hairpin and The Quiet Lady's Chamber. He has been awarded China Xiqu Red Plum Golden Flower Award, Jiangsu Province Xiqu Red Plum Gold Award.
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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. 3 hours with a 15-minute intermission. |
Click here to download the transcript.