Life of Guangzhou - On and Off The Stage

Within a few minutes, it is a matter of "life" and
"death" on stage, while those off the stage
have just finished a pot of tea.

A man immersed in the lyrics and the voices singing them

In China, it is a time-honored tradition for actors and actresses to perform in restaurants. Fully equipped, they stage operas almost everyday. Yet, this has been quite rare in today's Guangzhou, except in the oldest restaurants by some enthusiastic groups.

The ten-year-old Yunfeng Cantonese Opera Troupe of Guangzhou is one of them, which is dedicated to provide quality performances at a price for the vast majority. Starting as a traveling troupe, it settled in the restaurant of Yun Xiang Lou in the old city block in 2004.

Every afternoon, near 20 out of its 40 performers give a variety of shows for two hours and a half. Though aged from 20 to 70, the elder generation still plays the essential role. Many of them tour between several restaurants for their ideal, as well as for a living.

Rewards for the wonderful show

An actor cleans his face after the performance

Within a few minutes, it is a matter of "life" and "death" on stage, while those off the stage have just finished a pot of tea. The audience is totally immersed in the lyrics, the voices singing them, and the plots. However, what they may not see is that the "bravest heroes" and "sweetest ladies", once off the stage, are no more than a group of time-worn men and women. As the audience is dragged into another plot, they set off for another stage.

Although the writer and photographer of this article knows little about operas, and he seldom watches them, he is deeply touched by those who forget about themselves in what they are dedicated in. (Wang Ziheng)

(by Jiang Jianming, Alan Devey)