Renewing the past

Zhang Jun. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In December, Zhang Jun presented the opera at Southbank Centre in London, Britain's largest cultural institution. In January, the show was staged in New York at the annual conference of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. In April, I, Hamlet will be staged in Shanghai.

"When I start a new project I have no idea where it will go. I just test my ideas in the rehearsal room," says Zhang Jun. "The process is exhausting but also tempting."

He is more concerned about reviving the ancient art in its homeland than introducing Kunqu to the West. Like many traditional art forms, the opera's popularity is sliding.

Zhang Jun does over 100 shows every year and also gives lectures to young Kunqu students.

"Compared with TV shows, the influence of Kunqu Opera is limited," he says.

He does not plan to stop working to revive it.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

7:30 pm, March 17-18.

Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, 9 Tianqiao Nandajie, Xicheng district, Beijing. 400-635-3355.