介绍:
Where in Beijing can you watch acrobatic performances, standup comedy and traditional Chinese opera while enjoying a cup of tea and some street snacks?
Located in the city's Xuanwu District and near the Hufang Bridge subway station is the Beijing Huguang Guild Hall. Built in the early 19th century during the Qing Dynasty, it is one of the oldest performing venues in the city. It also houses the Beijing Museum of Traditional Opera, which is the 100th museum opened in Beijing.
From the outside, the place looks like a common courtyard house in Beijing with a set of red doors and stone steps leading up to the entrance. The place itself is composed of eastern, central and western courtyards as well as a central opera tower where performances still take place every day.
With me is Huo Jianqing, who is the former general manager of Beijing Huguang Guild Hall. According to him, the Guild Hall is quite different from other opera houses in the city.
"The Huguang Guildhall was built in 1807 in the 12th year of the Jiaqing Emperor during the Qing Dynasty. Out of the over 500 Guild alls in Beijing, the official ranking of the founders of Huguang Guildhall is the highest. One of the two founders was the Master Scholar of Ren at Court, the equivalent of a ministerial cadre of today. He is from Hunan. The other one is from Hubei and his ranking was the equivalent of the mayor of Beijing."
Back in the days, only members of the imperial family and court officials came here to be entertained. The opera tower, which is the main attraction of the place, is built in the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty with its double layered roof.
Inside the opera tower, there are two floors. The ground floor is an open space with tables and chairs. This is where the rowdy crowds usually sat in ancient times. The second floor is divided into several sections by screens. Each section has a long table and chairs around it. These are like the balcony seats at Opera houses in Europe.
Huo Jianqing explains.
"On the second floor, there are first-class seats. The opera house isn't big. It only has room for a little more than 300 people. The atmosphere on the second floor is different. By sitting in the centre box, you could feel as if you were the emperor. You can get both the best view of the stage and the best sound quality."
Aside from entertainment, Huguang Guildhall was and is still a meeting place of intellectuals. In 1912, the great revolutionary pioneer, Dr. Sun Yat-sen came here five times and delivered speeches. On August 25 of that year, he presided over and held the Founding Conference of the Kuomingtang Party. Famous Chinese opera singers during the Republic of China era have also performed here including Tan Xinpei, Yu Shuyan and of course, Mei Lanfang.
Today, the hall has become an important venue to exhibit and carry forward this traditional form of performing art. Huo Jianqing says the place provides all sorts of programs throughout the day for both local and foreign visitors.
"For foreigners, we chose operas that are of interest to them, most of which involve a lot of action sequences and acrobatics. Of course, there will be singing but not a lot. Otherwise, we will lose their attention. For the Chinese audiences, we put emphasis on the ups and downs of the storylines and beautiful singing techniques."
In addition to the performances, the hall also houses the Beijing Museum of Traditional Opera. A display called "Beijing Traditional Opera Brief History" showcases the history of opera development in China that includes precious opera literature, cultural relics, pictures and sound, and films.
The most eye-catching exhibit in the museum is an admission pass to the imperial palace issued to Chen Delin, by the Court Theatrical Office. Chen Delin was an opera performance artist, and the foremost Qingyi actor at the end of the Qing Dynasty. The pass itself was issued in the 25th year of Emperor Guangxu's Reign in 1899. On its face are two rows of characters: Court Theatrical Office, made in Guangxu 25. On the right is written: Student Chen Delin, aged 38. On the back appear the two characters that mean "waist tag."
There are also costumes worn by opera master Yang Xiaolu and props that were used in performances going as far back as late 19th century.
The Huguang Guildhall also holds a plethora of activities for visitors to learn about and enjoy traditional Chinese opera. So come by, relax with a cup of tea in your hand and be entertained.
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