Heartbeat of the Stage: Percussion in Peking Opera Rediscovered
Po You Set’s latest production casts a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the Peking opera stage — the percussion ensemble. Through a brilliant blend of tradition and innovation, this performance unveils the pivotal role that beats and rhythms play in shaping the very essence of Peking opera.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
Three percussionists take the spotlight in Po You Set’s latest production: a large gong on the right, a small gong on the left, and cymbals in the middle. Image courtesy of Po You Set.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — As a fervent enthusiast of Chinese opera, I find myself attending at least one performance every month. And when opera festivals are in full swing, my love for this art form knows no bound — I would indulge myself by attending as many as two performances each week.
When it comes to staging classical plays, two main approaches come to the forefront: one involves presenting the entire play (which can often be lengthy and less engaging), while the other showcases popular excerpts from these revered classics.
Beyond these timeless classics, however, the opera scene in Taiwan has witnessed a surge in the creation of newly-scripted productions in recent years. Notable names such as GuoGuang Opera Company (國光劇團), whose annual productions I never miss when in town; Contemporary Legend Theatre (當代傳奇劇場); and Taiwan Bangzi Opera (臺灣豫劇團), which has ventured into the intriguing realm of multiple universes in their recent production.
There are instances where local troupes draw inspiration from operatic traditions of other cultures. A prime example that comes to mind is a beautiful adaptation of Mozart's timeless opera, The Magic Flute, presented by Taipei Li-yuan Peking Opera Theatre, under the esteemed guidance of Peking opera virtuoso Li Bao-Chun.
Clearly, Chinese opera has transcended its classical boundaries, embracing innovation at every step. This July, I had the privilege of attending a performance that masterfully interweaved traditional opera elements into a contemporary play. The production, titled Huabao Peking Opera Drum Consultation Course (花豹京劇鑼鼓諮商課), was by Po You Set (栢優座), a visionary troupe known for incorporating Peking opera-inspired elements into modern theatre.
Despite its lengthy title, which can be difficult to grasp even after repeated reading, it provides a sneak peek into the narrative: the central figure, a Peking opera troupe's lead drummer named Huabao, embarks on a quest of self-discovery by seeking guidance from a counsellor.
Upon Huabao's request, the counsellor (right) puts Huabao in a hypnotic state in order to dig into the root of his problem. Image courtesy of Po You Set.
The journey originates from a feeling of emptiness in Huabao's life, as his profession fails to bring him satisfaction. On a Peking opera stage, actors and actresses are found basking in the limelight, whereas the musicians are often left in the dark. Most audience fails to recognise the pivotal contribution rendered by the musical ensemble in elevating the performance.
This reality stands in stark contrast to a common saying within opera circles: "The success of a production owes 30% to the actors onstage and a significant 70% to the unseen backstage". This saying underscores the crucial role of the accompanying percussion ensemble, which plays a vital part in the show's ultimate success.
Percussion plays a role of paramount significance that goes beyond mere accompaniment for the performers. Notably, the lead drummer of the troupe serves as a bridge, connecting the on-stage actors with the often offstage (or to the side) musicians.
One might assume that the lead percussionist's role is confined to managing beats and rhythms. But in reality, they are tasked with memorising all the lines sung by the performers. They don't merely serve as a conductor, but also function as a director or narrator, responsible for shaping the play's progression and rhythm, exerting influence over its entire flow. Regrettably, the majority of the audience struggles to differentiate between a strong and a weak percussion section.
In the hypnotic state, Huabao travels to a time when lead percussionist used to hold an influential position within a Peking opera troupe. Image courtesy of Po You Set.
In the play, the setting transitions between the counselling room and a multitude of dimensions as Huabao enters a hypnotic state. Amidst these realms, he encounters a lead drummer from the past, who held a commanding position within the troupe. This is juxtaposed with the young drummer in the present-day dimension, who not only relies on sheet music to perform, but neglects the performers onstage and fails to take over the responsibility in uplifting the theatrical experience.
The production weaves popular excerpts such as "San Cha Kou" (三岔口) and "Bai Shui Tan" (白水灘), illustrating the influence of a percussion section throughout the performance. A slight misstep in the beat and rhythm can transform what should have been a duel between rivals into an unexpectedly romantic dance. Funny but spot-on.
Going beyond its light-hearted and entertaining tone, the play is also pedagogical, as indicated by the term "course" in its title. Part of the show takes on the guise of a lecture performance, offering insights into the various percussion instruments employed in Peking opera. Moreover, audience is instructed in reciting lines from "Luogu Jing" (鑼鼓經), a traditional notational framework for traditional percussion music, just as the percussionists do during their training.
As Huabao untangles the threads that bind him to his role as a percussionist, we — as audience — appear to act as catalysts, accelerating his path to self-discovery. Our understanding of the ensemble's crucial role within the troupe enriches Huabao’s journey, enabling him to achieve a profound sense of fulfillment in his craft.
As we follow Huabao's footsteps through myriad dimensions, time seem to stretch before us — it’s as if the journey bears the weight of a lifetime's experiences, all condensed into a mere two-hour performance.
As the accompanying percussion goes awry, the duo's battle takes an unexpected turn, transforming into a strange but enchanting romantic dance. Image courtesy of Po You Set.
Hsu Bo-Ang (許栢昂), the visionary behind Po You Set, embodies a spectrum of talents. He’s not only the director and playwright of the production, but also takes on the mantle of the lead character, Huabao.
Armed with a formal training in Peking opera, Hsu’s dedication is fueled by his passion for this centuries-old art form. He modestly describes Po You Set as a "lab", a place where the latent potential of traditional performing arts is constantly explored and experimented with. This commitment is evident through the troupe's impressive portfolio of over two dozen productions, notable for their blend of traditional and contemporary theatrical expressions.
Drawing from my experience as a dedicated observer and amateur of Peking opera, Huabao Peking Opera Drum Consultation Course emerges as a unique gem, illuminating the often-overlooked heroes — the percussion ensemble — of the Peking opera stage, bringing them into the well-deserved spotlight.
As we delve into Huabao's odyssey of self-discovery, it's almost as if the audience embarks on their own quest. When Huabao finally comes to discover his value as a percussionist towards the end of the play, the same query echoes back to us: Have we found ours, too?
Curtain call for the world premiere of the play Huabao Peking Opera Drum Consultation Course.
Po You Set’s world premiere of Huabao Peking Opera Drum Consultation Course took place at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Centre in Taipei on July 14, 2023.