OPERA WARRIORS Perform at Sydney Opera House, Now thru June 16

OPERA WARRIORS showcases the newest and best of Chinese modern theatre arts in a show which combines a story of the Peking Opera told through martial arts and modern dance. To celebrate the closing of the Year of Chinese Culture in Australia OPERA WARRIORS will premiere at the Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House with four shows only from tonight, 14 to 16 June.

OPERA WARRIORS is the story of three talented opera actors and their life and death struggle to bring outstanding beauty to the stage. The story is set in the northern part of China in the early 20th century where we meet three young protégés who hail from the same martial arts master. After completing their training the three performers join a theatrical troupe, until their lives diverge when fate and destiny take a hand. One is shot by accident trying to protect his kinsman, one suffers a disastrous love affair and one finds great success.

OPERA WARRIORS, will be choreographed by Mr Xing Shimiao, who will interpret the script of Ms Pik Wah Li (Lilian Lee) – one of Hong Kong’s popular columnists whose screenplay Farewell My Concubine won the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival. Mr Sha Xiaolan, the Lighting Designer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Beijing 2008 Olympics, will light the Opera House stage.

Leading Chinese dancer Mr Wang Di, who performed the painting scroll sequence in Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, and Mr Huang Doudou, China’s famous male dancing artist, who performed Chinese Kung-Fu in the Closing Ceremony of 2004 Greece Olympic Games, will lead the troupe of 60 dancers. Popular Chinese folk singer Ms Tan Jing, will sing the OPERA WARRIORS theme song.

OPERA WARRIORS has been brought to Sydney by the Shanxi Huajin Dance Troupe to celebrate the closing of the Year of Chinese Culture in Australia. Before coming to Australia the Troupe will perform in the newest and best venue for performing arts, National Centre for Performing Arts, in Beijing. Shanxi Huajin Dance Troupe last performed in Sydney five years ago with their show Forbidden Fruit Under The Great Wall.

Visit http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/ for more information.