Sharon's Peking Opera Photos

Welcome to Sharon's photos at the Peking Opera

The Peking Opera is an interesting change of pace. There are about 10 musicians, who play on stage for a while, then retire to the wings as the Opera starts. The music is kinda like the "cat tail in a wringer" description that folks have given for ages. It is different, but not unpleasant.
There is dancing, juggling, acrobatics, a and tumbling by some of the cast. The "Maiden" was the best, she out-did all the men!

Before the Opera, we ate dinner and had Peking Duck. Most of the more expensive meals are served on the lazy susans. You chose what you want from the myriad of foods available on the tray. They keep bringing new items out as you finish the first ones.
Both men and women participate, in full makeup
Before the show, we were served tea by the "tea boy" who had a five foot long spout on the tea kettle. He twirled and rolled it without dropping any boiling water!
The maiden
The Emperor
Discussing the state of affairs
Ok, here is the story. The girl wishes to save her Emperor during war, who needs money. She and a "ghost" steal the silver from a rival War Lord (official). I think pelf is a bad translation for silver. He gets upset and chases her, fights her, and loses. She takes the silver to her Emperor and they live happily ever after. Sorta. I think...
The maiden and the ghost. They were both incredible acrobats, doing many tumbling moves and juggling feats.
The bad War Lord

Beijing	Forbidden City	Great Wall	Peking Opera	Summer Palace	Tiennamen Square
Shanghai		Shanghai Acrobats	Shanghai Bund	Yuyang Garden
Xian	Big Goose Pagoda	City Wall	Shaanxi Museum	Tang Dynasty Show	Terra Cotta Warriors