Old Peking Opera classic revived at Temple Theater

Veteran Peking Opera artist Ma Yuqi shows off the costumes worn in the performance.

A special Peking Opera performance on Friday and Saturday at the prestigious Temple Theatre, a part of the Beijing Opera House, revisits an opera that disappeared from the stage 60 years ago.

The opera "A Wardrobe Love Affair" was created at the end of the 19th century, and is a reinvention of an earlier Kunqu Opera. It is presented here by Mr. Ma Yuqi, a 76-year-old veteran Peking Opera artist, along with his alumni.

"What we are trying to do is leave a record, a video, for instance, so that young Peking Opera singers might refer to it when they try to learn more about traditional singing and performing. It could serve as a record for them to enjoy, or learn from," Ma said.

The opera is a story about a young noblewoman who falls in love with a young scholar, and about her efforts to avoid an arranged marriage.

"The arranged marriage described in the play carries the idea of defying old doctrines. It's a common theme in traditional operas, like 'The Butterfly Lovers', for example," Ma said.

The dramatic climax comes when the young woman's sister-in-law, played by Mr. Ma, finds her lover hiding in her wardrobe.

"The young man wins title and position in the original version and ours. It's a happy ending, a joyful reunion. It's what the audience would expect, too," Ma said.

In the audience are Peking Opera singers, fans, and newcomers.

"There are plenty of elements of absurdity or humour offered by traditional Chinese opera in a play like this one. It can easily create empathy among the young audience. This is its everlasting charm," a member of the audience said.

Once an ancient temple, the Temple Theatre was rebuilt into a recreational complex for merchants 300 years ago, and became a popular venue for Peking Opera performances in the late 19th century. Having been turned into a guest house after 1949, it reopened as a traditional opera house in 1995.