To mark the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Beijing's leading performing arts companies and major theaters are presenting a series of productions around July 1 under the banner of Red July, celebrating the Party's history through opera, drama, musicals, and concerts.
The citywide program brings together classic works and newly created productions, offering audiences a range of performances inspired by China's revolutionary history and development.
Several of Beijing's major opera companies are staging some of China's best-known revolutionary productions.
The Beijing Jingju Theater will present the classic Shajiabang on July 1 and 2, followed by the modern Peking Opera Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy on July 8 and 9. The productions re-create key episodes from China's revolutionary past through stylized performances, martial arts choreography and Peking Opera's distinct vocal traditions.
The National Peking Opera Company also presented a special anniversary program at the Mei Lanfang Theatre from June 29 to 30, featuring Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy and The Red Lantern, two landmark works in the modern Peking Opera repertoire.
The China Pingju Opera Theatre will stage On the Banks of the Jinsha River on July 1, which tells the story of the Red Army's Long March (1934-36) and its efforts to unite local communities while pressing northward during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Later in the month, on July 23, it will present A Journey Through Fire and Blood, a production that weaves together stories from different periods of China's revolutionary history.
Alongside traditional opera, theaters are using dramas and musicals to reinterpret revolutionary themes for today's audiences.
The National Theatre of China is presenting its original play The Red Origin from June 30 to July 3. Employing a dual-timeline narrative, the production revisits the founding of the CPC and the revolutionary years through the perspective of young people.
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the Long March, Gansu province is bringing The Lamplight in Hadapu to the National Centre for the Performing Arts on June 30 and July 1. The play focuses on the historic meeting in Hadapu, Gansu, where CPC leaders made strategic decisions that helped shape the later course of the Long March.
The Red July season also features performances by visiting troupes and professional music ensembles nationwide.
A series of themed concerts will also be held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the Beijing Concert Hall and the Beijing Performing Arts Centre. Professional ensembles will perform well-known patriotic works.
