Beijing Quju Opera Troupe tours Taiwan

Co-organized by the China Theatre Association, a series of cultural exchange events featuring the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe took place in Taiwan from Dec 8 to 15. The troupe staged The Life of Mine, a 50-minute production directed by Bai Ailian and featuring a talented cast of young creatives. This performance introduces the relatively lesser-known art form of Quju Opera, which combines the elegance of traditional Chinese opera with contemporary interpretations.

Since its premiere in 2022, the play, adapted from a novella by acclaimed writer Lao She (1899-1966), known for his witty and compassionate depictions of ordinary lives, particularly the urban poor, has been the first Quju Opera production adapted for smaller theater settings. With its bold, contemporary twist, the play invites modern audiences into a world that straddles tradition and innovation.

In addition to the performances, creative team members, including director Bai and Chen Yongquan, vice-president of the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe, met with Taiwan theater artists. During the exchange session, Bai shared insights into the creative process of the play, expressing her hope to share and exchange ideas through this performance and to learn from her Taiwan counterparts.

Representatives from theater institutions also discussed their explorations in areas such as commercial operations, IP development, and cross-industry integration, building a cultural bridge between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.