A new Peking Opera generation takes the stage

"For me, stepping into the role of a hero or a warrior isn't just stagecraft — it's a dream come true. The armor, the weapons, the power — it's everything I imagined as a kid, now made real through sweat and discipline," he says.

Xu Zhouyi, 25, plays He Tianbao, who, despite his bravery and strength, is ultimately overwhelmed and killed in the darkness of the mountain.

"What amazed me most is that playing wuxi isn't just about action — it's about expressing moral character, justice, loyalty, courage and inner strength through movement," says Xu.

"The character is armed with double swords, a long beard, thick platform shoes — and the role constantly challenges me with demanding one-legged poses. I have to focus on every step and match each movement to the beat of the percussion," he explains.

Later that evening, an excerpt of the classic piece San Cha Kou was performed by two young actors, Wu Zeyu and Shu Jiaxing.

Wu played Liu Lihua, an innkeeper, and Shu played Ren Tanghui, a warrior escorting general Jiao Zan, who has been framed and is on his way to exile. In the iconic "blind fight" scene, Liu and Ren engage in a fierce fight in complete darkness — unaware they are actually on the same side.

The audience cheered as the actors tumbled, rolled, faked punches, and performed somersaults with impeccable precision. The entire fight was choreographed to appear accidental — as if both men were moving by instinct alone. Every near-miss was perfectly timed, blending tension, humor, martial skill and rhythm. There was no dialogue, no melody — only breath, body movements and percussion beats. It showcases a unique and essential aspect of the beauty of Peking Opera — precision, physical storytelling, and stylized rhythm — all core components of wuxi.

"At first, I didn't fully understand the character — maybe because I was still young," said 25-year-old Wu. "Then my teacher, Liu Xizhong, stood in front of me, silently mouthing the rhythm, counting the beats. He told me when to slow down, when not to force it. That's when I started to feel the role, not just perform it."

Wu and Shu rehearsed together for nearly a year.

"San Cha Kou is a test of trust between two actors. We have to read each other's energy — know when one is speeding up or slowing down. Every movement — flips, dodges, weapon swings — must be perfectly timed to avoid real collisions while still looking dangerous," says Wu.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn