Xiqu

“Eating Rice and Eating Chaff from The Story of the Lute”
Performances of this play has not ceased since the Qing Dynasty. After having given the only remaining two bowls of rice to her in-laws, Zhao Wuniang ate chaff in the kitchen. Suddenly, she felt a lump in her throat and choked. To ease herself, she put the
bowl on top of her head and banged the centre of the bowl with a pair of chopsticks while the gong accompanies her gestures in a cold and sorrowful tune. With tears running down from her eyes, Zhao Wuniang stretched out her neck and kept swallowing.
The actress’s vivid portrayal touches the hearts of the audience deeply. Cai Bojie left home to attend the imperial examination in the capital city. After he left, his family heard no more from him. Famine
broke out in Cai’s hometown and lasted for years. In order to buy rice for Cai’s parents, his wife Zhao Wuniang sold all her belongings. She gave all the rice to her in-laws and ate chaff herself. But her mother-in-law suspected that Zhao kept all the good food to herself. When the mother-in-law found out the truth, she was full of regret.

“The Day of the Wedding from The Story of the West Chamber”
This play fully displays the characteristic features of Kunqu singing and dancing. Hongniang sways her waist and walks in twisted steps to display her playful and lovely character even when she is upset. When she sings the set tune of Shi Er Hong, her
postures and dance movements are stylish and varied. Young scholar Zhang Gong became lovesick after seeing the beautiful Cui Yingying. Cui’s maid, Hongniang acted as their go-between to help them realize their wishes.

“Painting the Portrait and Taking Leave at Her In-laws’ Grave from The Story of the Lute”
Zhao Wuniang is a typical zhengdan (leading female) role. The actress who plays this role must convey the intense sadness and desolation of the character. She must also possess unique singing and acting style. Painting the Portrait, Lamenting over the
Portrait, Taking Leave at Her In-laws’ Grave and Entrusting the Grave to Elderly Zhang fully express the sorrow of Zhao Wuniang and Elderly Zhang. After the death of her in-laws, Zhao Wuniang went to find her husband in the capital city. Before she left, she painted a sad portrait of her deceased in-laws. When Elderly Zhang heard that Zhao was leaving, he gave her food and money and saw her off at her in-laws’ grave.

“Yearning for the Secular World from A Sea of Sins ”
Melodic and smooth flowing, this solo performance by a dan is highly demanding on the aesthetic appeal, posture complexity and movement variation of its performer. A popular Kunqu work, this excerpt is frequently performed on stage. A young woman surnamed Zhao joined the Xiantao Nunnery as a nun since she was a child. Her Buddhist name was Sekong. She found the solitude and loneliness of being a nun unbearable. Determined to seek happiness in the secular world, she ran away from the nunnery in the mountains to find a new life.

“Autumn River from The Story of the Jade Hairpin”
In other genres of Chinese opera, this excerpt features Pan Bizheng and Chen Miaochang as the leading characters. But this one performed by Yongkun is different: the old and young boatmen take centre stage instead. Another breakthrough is that it brings to the stage the rolling movements employed by Yongjia’s local boatmen. This excerpt is particularly popular among village audience and is one of the classic repertoires of Yongkun. During a war, Chen Miaochang sought refuge in the Nuzhen nunnery and became a nun. Scholar Pan Bizheng failed his imperial examination and was too ashamed to return home. He went to stay with his aunt who happened to be the nun in charge of the Nuzhen nunnery. Pan and Chen fell in love with each other when they met. This was found out by Pan’s aunt who then forced Pan to attend the imperial examination again. When Chen heard of Pan’s departure, she hired a boat to chase him. When they met, Chen reassured Pan of her unfailing love for him.