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Taiwanese opera star is back in business

A mong fans of gezai opera (歌仔戲), the Taiwanese answer to Beijing opera, the hottest ticket for next week is the premiere of a new production by local opera superstar Yang Li-hua (楊麗花), who is making a comeback after seven years away from the stage. The four performances of Dan Xin Jiu Ju (丹心救主), starting on Thursday, have already sold out despite higher-than-average ticket prices. This comeback, part of National Theater and Concert Hall's 20th anniversary celebrations, will have the star, now 63, pushing her limits as she takes on three very different roles in a complex story of palace intrigue.

Yang is routinely given the title of "National Treasure," and this new work follows on three phenomenally successful performances at the National Theater during the 1990s. Yang was one of the first opera stars to bring gezai opera to major venues such as the National Theater. She has been followed by others, including the Ming Hwa Yuan Taiwanese Opera Company (明華園戲劇團) and the Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company (唐美雲歌仔戲團), who have all contributed significantly to lifting gezai opera from the curbside and placing it firmly and confidently in the temples of art and culture. Nevertheless, Yang is credited as the pioneer, and her career, which spans stage, television and film, has been devoted to preserving Taiwan's most popular operatic form.

Gezai opera superstar Yang Li-hua, far left, is making a comeback after seven years away from the stage.Photos: Courtesy of the NTCH

Gezai opera is often criticized for not having the sophistication or elegance of Beijing opera. It was popular at temple fairs and local celebrations, and appealed to audiences with accounts of involved stories and clever improvisation.

Yang, who was born into a theatrical family began her carrier at just over 10 years old. She was one of the first people to respond to the challenge posed by TV and cinema and use it to her advantage. She helped create many TV operas through the 1970s, and by focusing on characters and plot, helped broaden the audience for gezai opera. Her popularity extends beyond Taiwan, and performances by Yang can even now be seen on Mac TV, the multimedia news and information site of the Overseas Compatriots Affairs Commission (僑務委員會).

Yang's return to the stage has encouraged many other prominent gezai performers to sign up for this production, ensuring that Dan Xin Jiu Ju is likely to be the greatest gathering of gezai talent the stage has seen in a while. Due to the scale and complexity of the production, two directors have been brought in, including the highly-respected Chu Lu-hao (朱陸豪), who has built his reputation in Beijing opera.

Performances of Dan Xin Jiu Ju will take place at the National Theater, Taipei. Performances at 7:30pm Thursday, Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 and at 2:30pm Oct. 28. Tickets are NT$600 to NT$5,000. The show is sold out.

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