Living and expectations

Qiu Jirong, son of traditional Chinese art master in Peking Opera. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Peking Opera

"Peking Opera is a big part of my life. It shaped who I am. But I want to create my own art," says Qiu Jirong, whose true passion lies in fusing contemporary dance with Peking Opera.

At 13, he was inspired to learn modern dance after watching a DVD of pop icon Michael Jackson's live shows.

The dance moves and music overwhelmed the young man. So, he spent hours imitating the dance moves but his behavior upset his family and people in the Peking Opera business.

He felt "sandwiched" between the Western art form and the ancient Chinese art.

He is also disappointed that the 200-year-old art form is today losing popularity with the young.

He once even stood outside theaters asking people why they did not buy tickets for Peking Opera shows and they said that they could not understand the art.

"I am so proud of being the grandson of Qiu Shengrong. I respect the art. But I have to admit that I can never surpass what my grandfather achieved. No one can," he says.

"It is true that there are no real artists nowadays, but only good performers."

"But what I want to do is not abandon what I have learned. I just want more people to appreciate the beauty of Peking Opera, especially young people," says Qiu Jirong.

In 2014, he performed in Chinese choreographer Zhao Liang's work, Escaping from the Temple, in which he played a young monk.

Then, a year later he brought Peking Opera moves to the dance production of famous Chinese dancer-choreographer Yang Liping's Under Siege, which is based on the story of the besieged warlord Xiang Yu and his concubine.

To have more people see his art, Qiu Jirong has also started appearing in TV shows and collaborating with Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Hong Kong pop star Karen Mok.

Now, he is working on his first stage production, which is based on Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King－the main character in the 16th-century Chinese classical novel Journey to the West. The show is to be staged later this year.

In the show, Qiu Jirong portrays the Monkey King by blending Peking Opera with contemporary dance.

"When I wear the costume, especially the headgear of the Monkey King, I become him," says Qiu Jirong. "I am aware that my vision for my art is rooted in Peking Opera. So, I just try to give it my own interpretation."

Sunny Nie, from Beijing-based Show City Times Motion Picture, which is producing and promoting Qiu Jirong's production, is impressed by the performer's efforts.

"The chemistry between Peking Opera and Western dance makes Qiu Jirong's art unique. He cannot be separated from his family's legacy, but he has his view about art," she says.

"What we can do is to introduce his art to a wider audience. I believe young audiences, which are much more drawn to Western art forms, will become fans of Peking Opera by watching his performance."