Q: What is Yue opera?
A: It started in 1906 and is a relatively young art form compared with other centuries-old local operas, such as Peking opera and the Unesco heritage-listed Kunqu opera from Jiangsu . It was invented by farmers in Zhejiang , an area known as Yue in ancient times, and hit a peak in popularity in the 1940s in Shanghai with the help of some insightful businessmen and literary figures. At the time, it was still in its infancy, but it was innovative, and incorporated elements from drama and other local operas.
Most Yue opera performers are women and are required to be able to sing, dance, act and master martial arts. The opera is accompanied by traditional Chinese musical instruments and mostly tells family or love stories, because it has a tender style rather than the straightforward approach of Peking opera. Yue opera is one of the most popular forms of local opera in China. We have travelled around the country performing this year to mark the opera's centennial and the response has been quite good.
What kind of roles do you play?
I usually play male roles, but sometimes I am a woman. I have performed various kinds of male roles, from an ancient intellectual, to an emperor and a villain. I can also play two roles in the one show, but audiences cannot tell.
How did you get your start on stage and why have you stayed with it for so many years?