On October 17, the Beijing Quju Opera “At the End of the Canal Lies a Sea” is set to make its debut, with the story beginning at the Wanning Bridge on the east bank of Jishuitan, located on the central axis of Xicheng District, Beijing.
Produced by the Xicheng District Culture and Tourism Bureau and directed by the Xicheng District Cultural Center, this production is supported by the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe. The play tells the story of Guo Shoujing, known as the “Father of the Grand Canal,” who tirelessly worked to manage Jishuitan and excavate the Tonghui River, transforming this area into a bustling hub for trade and transportation at the end of the Grand Canal.
During the press conference on the 17th, the creative team of “At the End of the Canal Lies a Sea” shared insights into the inspirations behind the production, key plot points, and artistic features. The director expressed their intention to deliver a piece with artistic impact, using fresh perspectives and expressive techniques. The leading actors also showcased captivating excerpts from the performance.
As noted, the Beijing Quju Opera is a hallmark of Beijing’s living culture and is the only local opera genre that originated in the city. In 2021, it was included in the fifth batch of representative projects for intangible cultural heritage in Beijing. The music and vocal styles of Beijing Quju are developed from the single-stringed banziqu, with dialogue based on Mandarin that highlights the unique characteristics of Beijing’s dialect.
The original small theater production of “At the End of the Canal Lies a Sea” will be performed at the National Theatre’s small theater on October 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM.
