LONDON -- China National Peking Opera Company is returning to London after 10 years and also planning its British provincial debut with four performances in Liverpool.
The opera company will be performing two masterpieces for its British audiences, the full-length European premiere of Farewell My Concubine and Warrior Women of Yang. Taking part will be two of the company's legendary stars Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu.
The company's November tour to Britain will see performances at London's Sadler's Wells as well as the Liverpool Echo Arena Auditorium in northern England.
The program is described as a rare opportunity for British audiences to enjoy the fine art of Peking Opera on British stage from one of China's most pre-eminent performing companies.
Four performances are planned in Liverpool between November 13 and 15, with five performances at Sadler's Wells between November 19 and 22.
"Farewell My Concubine" is a renowned classical piece, a beautiful and harrowing story of political unrest, love, sacrifice and honor. It's hard not to be entranced by this immense love story and the consequences of lost battles and pride.
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 audiences with music, song, mime, exquisite costumes and painted faces while performing amazing stage combats and acrobatics.
In a joint statement Sinolink Productions directors Ming Ming Dong and Kevin Zhang who have organized the tour said: "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."
"It will be 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 statement said.
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.
