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CNN Live At Daybreak

Will Beijing Opera Continue?

Aired January 14, 2002 - 05:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is an art with a long and rich history, but times are tough for the Beijing opera.

Martha Graham of CNN's "INSIDE ASIA" reports from Beijing that opera performers wonder if the show will go on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTHA GRAHAM, CNN INSIDE ASIA: Members of the Beijing opera company perform one of the highly stylized pieces for which the art form is famous. Beijing opera is a mixture of music, dance, art and acrobatics. While the performers are as dedicated to their craft as ever, audiences, unfortunately, are not. Often less than half the theater seats are filled and many of those in them are non-Chinese tourists. Officials are hoping the use of English subtitles will bring in even more international visitors, but they know they need the support of local fans if the opera is to survive.

Many older Chinese still love traditional opera. They gather in Beijing's parks to entertain one another by singing the songs.

"The older you get," he says, "the better you understand Beijing opera that's why most of its fans are old people."

But if young people can't be attracted to the theater, who will fill the seats in the years to come?

LUO DIANWEN, OPERA FAN (through translator): I could see that in the past few years Beijing opera was in danger of dying out, however, it has revived because of China's opening to the outside world. We cannot lose it because it personifies the Chinese spirit.

GRAHAM: But 200 years after its creation, the future of Beijing opera is uncertain. Even though they often perform to small groups now, the actors try to strike a positive note.

LIU YULING, BEIJING OPERA ACTRESS (through translator): I believe Beijing opera will make progress in developing line with social developments. I am not worried about the future of Beijing opera and I have confidence in it.

GRAHAM: Beijing officials seem confident too. They've announced plans to build two new multimillion-dollar theaters for traditional opera. Martha Graham, Inside Asia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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