PRESS RELEASE
18 May 2015
CHINA NATIONAL PEKING OPERA COMPANY
RETURNS TO THE UK
13 – 22 NOVEMBER 2015
10 years after their last visit to the UK in 2005, the magnificent China National Peking Opera
Company returns to the UK this winter, coming to both the Liverpool Echo Arena Auditorium
(13 – 15 November) and London’s Sadler’s Wells (19 – 22 November).
China National Peking Opera Company will be performing two masterpieces for UK audiences:
Warrior Women of Yang and the full-length European premiere of Farewell My Concubine. This is a
rare opportunity to catch the fine art of Peking Opera on the UK stage from one of China's most preeminent performing companies with two of its legendary stars Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu.
This is an exceptional opportunity to be immersed in the intriguing art of Peking Opera and take a
cultural adventure into Chinese traditional artistic heritage from this world-class company. The
magnificent costumes and the artful combination of dance, mime, music, and theatre provide a
source of wonder for audiences of all ages; all part of China National Peking Opera Company’s charm.
“elaborately choreographed… an epic charmer”
Jan Parry, The Observer (on Legend of the White Snake, 2005)
The rarely seen spectacular Warrior Women of Yang is a story of grief, courage, patriotism and family
loyalty. A cast of over fifty will mesmerize you with music, song, mime, exquisite costumes and
painted faces whilst they amaze you with stage combat and acrobatics.
“It remains for me one of the most thrilling, most penetratingly true of theatrical experiences.”
Clement Crisp, Financial Times (on Legend of the White Snake, 2005)
Farewell My Concubine is a renowned classical piece, a beautiful and harrowing story of political
unrest, love, sacrifice and honour. It’s hard not to be entranced by this immense love story and the
consequences of lost battles and pride.
The Peking Opera is a unique art form. To achieve the highest level of performing skills often requires
a lifelong dedication to practising the art. Most of the artists have to train from a very tender age at
opera school before being an apprentice and learning from the masters. Despite the spectacular
costumes, face painting make-up and stunning stage craft, Peking Opera represents the essence of
tradition Chinese value – whatever you would like to achieve, you must work hard through sweat and
tears and resist from material temptation. If there is a common identity shared by the Chinese all
over the world, it is the Peking Opera. If there is a common tune to draw tears from the Chinese all
over the world, it is the Peking Opera.
In the climate of a largely westernised China, there are still artists who are passionate about the
traditional form of Chinese artistic heritage and devote their lives to preserving the century old form
of art. The artists from National Peking Opera Company continue to pursuit their dream of keeping
this ancient Chinese art form alive and sharing its beauty and stagecraft with the world.
Yu Kuizhi’s repertoire includes Female Generals of Yang Family, Loss of Shijieting· The Empty City·
Killing Ma Ji, Wu Zixu, the Fourth Son Visits His Mother, Golden Brick, Wild Boar Forest, Reconciliation
between the General and the Prime Minsiter, Blood River, and newly arranged plays like Yuan
Chonghuan, Mei Lanfang, Zou Xi Kou, Red Cliff, Bosom Friend, The Silk Road and The Great Wall.
Li Shengsu’s repertoire includes The Drunken Beauty, Mu Guiying Takes Command, Legend of the
White Snake, Xie Yaohuan and Willow Shadow and Legend of Lady Yang, etc.
“With respect and honour, we are taking the opportunity of 2015 UK and China Cultural Exchange
Year to present this fine, traditional art form of Peking Opera to the world to demonstrate that China
is not just about what they can manufacture, but also about what they can perform. We sincerely
hope the British audience will appreciate and be inspired by the master pieces that the National
Peking Opera Company are to bring to the UK.” Ming Ming Dong and Kevin Zhang, Directors,
Sinolink Productions
For further media information, please contact Andrew Greer at Target Live on
andrew.greer@target-live.co.uk / +44 (0)203 372 0966 / www.target-live.co.uk
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Presented with English surtitles
LIVERPOOL
China National Peking Opera Company
Venue: Liverpool Echo Area Auditorium, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP
Dates: 13 – 15 November
Times: 7.30pm daily plus 2.00pm Sunday matinee
Tickets: £25 - £85
Booking: www.echoarena.com / 0844 8000 400
Repertoire:
Friday 13 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm
Sunday 15 November, 2.00pm
Sunday 15 November, 7.30pm
Warrior Women of Yang
Farewell My Concubine
Farewell My Concubine
Warrior Women of Yang
LONDON
China National Peking Opera Company
Venue: Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN
Dates: 19 – 22 November
Times: 7.30pm daily plus 2.00pm Saturday matinee
Tickets: £25 - £85
Booking: www.sadlerswells.com / 0844 412 4300
Repertoire:
Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm
Friday 20 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 21 November, 2.00pm
Saturday 21 November, 7.30pm
Sunday 22 November, 7.30pm
Warrior Women of Yang
Farewell My Concubine
Farewell My Concubine
Warrior Women of Yang
Warrior Women of Yang
NOTES TO EDITORS
Sinolink create opportunities in business, education, art and the creative industries to link, exchange
and share knowledge between the UK and China. They operate study and exchange programmes in
healthcare, deliver training in cultural awareness, provide translation services, arrange education and
vacation tours and provide an international stage for China’s performing artists.
Sinolink Productions has been created as a vehicle to share the best of China’s Art and Culture with
the world. Our team have backgrounds in theatre, film and music and our director Kevin Zhang was
the founder member of the London Jingkun Opera Association and a Chinese Peking Opera
performer himself. Therefore with our experience in producing stimulating study tours between the
UK and China and our naturally forged links with the Chinese world of entertainment it seemed a
natural progression to link these connections and create a bridge to the world for some of the finest
artists from China.