Jingju Canada has an active company of performers who maintain a repertoire of short scenes and excerpts from Traditional Jingju plays. These scenes focus on the stylized combat and movement styles unique to Chinese Theatre and are performed in Traditional costumes and makeup.
These excerpts are available for booking on short notice and can be adjusted to suit the nature of the event and venue. They are ideal for community or cultural events as well as private functions.
Current active repertoire of short scenes/excerpts:
Monkey King Borrowing Treasures from the Dragon Palace
Length: 20 min
Performers: 5-6 (Monkey King, Dragon King, Dragon Princess(es), Turtles, shrimp)
Description: The Monkey King has finished his training, but needs a good weapon. An old monkey told him he could get a very fine weapon from the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea. The Monkey King was so glad to hear this that he leaped into the sea, and headed straight for the palace of the Dragon King.
Monkey King Stealing Peaches
Length: 20 min
Performers: 6 (Monkey King, Celestial Faeries, Celestial Guards)
Description: From the canonical ‘Journey to the West’, this movement and fight excerpt shows Sun Wu Kong (The Monkey King) up to mischief in the Jade Emperor’s kingdom. Sun Wu Kong steals the heavenly peaches from the garden of the Jade Empress, which only ripen every thousand years, and then drinks a magical wine which grants immortality. He is confronted by both celestial Faeries and Guards, but defeats them easily.
Crossroads
Length: 50 min
Performers: 6 (Ren tanghui, Liu Lihua, Jiao Zan, Liu Lihua’s wife, Guard1 & Guard2)
Description: Ren Tanghui – a warrior in the Imperial Army – is on a mission to free his superior, Jiao Zan, who has been unjustly arrested by a rival. Hotel owner Liu Lihua, upon finding the good Jiao Zan arrive at his establishment as a prisoner, attempts to courageously assist him and prevent his unlawful murder at the hands of the evil rival’s agents. When Ren Tanghui arrives at the hotel in disguise, openly searching for Jiao Zan, a misunderstanding between him and Liu Lihua causes the two men to fight each other in hopes of protecting Jiao Zan. When Liu Lihua’s wife rescues Jiao Zan, light is shed on the situation and the two combatants cease their fight. The new friends return to the barracks together and Jiao Zan is proven innocent.
Monkey King and Princess Iron Fan
Length: 10 min
Performers: 2 (Monkey King & Princess Iron Fan)
Description: From the canonical ‘Journey to the West’ this fight excerpt shows Sun Wu Kong (The Monkey King) appealing to Princess Iron Fan. Sun Wu Kong asks Princess Iron Fan for her magical fan which can help extinguish a massive fire which has engulfed an entire mountain. Sun Wu Kong’s reputation as a untrustworthy trickster precedes him, however, and he is forced into a fight.
Fight in the Dark
Length: 13 min
Performers: 2 (Ren Tang Hui & Liu Li Hua)
Description: From ‘Crossroads’ this fight excerpt shows the famous fight in the dark at a hotel located at a crossroads during the Song dynasty. The innkeeper, Liu Li Hua, is harbouring a disgraced general and gets suspicious of a stranger who arrives asking strange questions. This stranger, Ren Tang Hui, is actually loyal to the general and is looking to protect him. The two become suspicious of each other and when the stranger goes to sleep the innkeeper, a competent fighter, sneaks into the dark room to kill him. The stranger turns out to be an accomplished fighter himself and the two engage in a heated -and humorous- fight in the dark.
Goddess Spreading Flowers
Length: 8 min
Performers: 1 (Goddess)
Description: Originally created by Mei Lan Fang, this song and dance shows a Goddess in spring. Through movement, tradition song and long silks we are witness to the beauty and grace of the goddess spreading flowers.
White Snake Stealing The Fungus Of Immortality
Length: 15 min
Performers: 2-3 (White snake lady & Crane and Deer)
Description: “Stealing The Fungus of Immortality” is a part of the white snake legend in Peking Opera. To rescue her husband XuXian, the white snake (Bai Su Zhen) tries to steal the fungus of immortality in the sacred mountain despite being pregnant. She is stopped by the guardians of the mountain, and fights against them at the risk of death.
Bai Su Zhen in this play is acted by a performer specialized in stage fighting. The role emphasizes the performer’s figure and dance, including various turning somersaults and other unique fighting skills.
Peasant Girl
Length: 8 min
Performers: 1 （Sun Yu Jiao)
Description: The day of a young country girl as she goes about doing far work, feeding the chickens and embroidery.
Love in the Fight
Length: 10 min
Performers: 1 （Mu Gui Ying & Yang Zong Bao)
Description: Yang Zong Bao, a celebrated General, goes to Mu Ke Zhai mountain, in order to get some of its legendary wood. There he meets the mistress of the mountain Mu Gui Ying and the two do battle. Their prowess on the battlefield leads each of them to first respect, and then eventually fall in love with the other.
Hu Lady Protecting her Manor
Length: 10 min
Performers: 2 （Hu San Niang & Wong Ying)
Description: Hu San Niang is an arrogant Fighter. Her physical prowess on the battlefield lead her to defeating her enemies in battle again, and again. Due to her one time negligence however, she is finally defeated and forced to submit to her enemy.
Water Sleeves Rain Dance
Length: 5 min
Performers: 1-2 (Qing Yi)
Description: Choreographed by Shijia Jiang, this dance tells the story of a young woman walking through the rain. Through movement and the use of water sleeves we see the emotional journey of the woman and the rainstorm.
Fan Dance
Length: 4 min
Performers: 2-8 (Hua Dan)
Description: Choreographed by Shijia Jiang, this dance tells the story of a young girl leaving home for the first time and exploring the wonders of the outside world. Through movement and the use of a fan we watch as the young girl discovers flowers, butterflies and a cute boy.
Sword dance
Length: 4 min
Performers: 1-6 （Qing Yi)
Description: Adapted by Shijia Jiang, this female dance performance showcases a combination of both soft and strong attributes.