Shanghai's Wanping Theater hosted a captivating artistic feast as the Ningxia Performing Arts Group Peking Opera Troupe took the stage on Wednesday. 

Invited for a cultural exchange performance, the troupe showcased the modern Peking Opera production Red Sorghum, adapted from the Nobel laureate Mo Yan’s novel.

A scene from the modern Peking Opera Red Sorghum [Photo/Official WeChat account of the Culture and Tourism of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]

For this performance, Liu Jing, director of the troupe, once again collaborated with Lan Tian, an outstanding laosheng (older male role) actor from the Shanghai Peking Opera Theater. Together, they delivered a breathtaking performance, showcasing exquisite artistry and heartfelt passion to audiences.  

The production is based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel of the same name by Mo Yan. It tells the moving story of Jiu’er, Shiba Dao, and others who dared to love, hate, and fight with courage during the 1930s and 1940s. Through the traditional art form of Peking Opera, the play vividly portrays the resilience and free spirit of the people from that era.

A scene from the modern Peking Opera Red Sorghum [Photo/Official WeChat account of the Culture and Tourism of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]

On stage, performers vividly brought the characters' personalities and emotional arcs to life. The actors' outstanding performances captivated the audience, who were deeply moved by the characters' stories, erupting in enthusiastic applause and cheers throughout the show.

The Ningxia Performing Arts Group Peking Opera Troupe's staging of Red Sorghum in Shanghai was not only an artistic exchange but also a cultural encounter. The newly adapted Red Sorghum has already garnered widespread acclaim in previous performances and earned a place in several prominent arts festivals. 

This Shanghai performance not only offered audiences a fresh artistic experience but also serves as a stepping stone to further promote the opera across the country.