Painted Faces, Flowing Sleeves

A Showcase of Chinese Opera

Saturday July 11
7:30pm – 9:00pm

Location: Port Theatre

Tickets coming soon!

A rare, immersive showcase of classical Chinese opera, featuring three distinct, acclaimed genres: Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, and Cantonese Opera. Featuring renowned artist William Lau from Ottawa’s Autumn Melody Collective alongside four exceptional artists from Vancouver: Sheng-O, Heidi Specht, Bonnie Tam and Yu-Hua Miao. This performance brings the pinnacle of Chinese traditional theatre to a Nanaimo stage.

The program showcases magnificent costumes, extraordinary make-ups, and refined performance with powerful drama.

Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, Chinese opera is often defined as “total theatre,” synthesizing singing, recitation, acting, and dancing. This curated program highlights the two major styles—civilian (wen) and military (wu) plays—showcasing magnificent costumes, intricate makeup, and powerful dramatic narratives.

Why Attend

• Experience a rare showcase of classical Chinese Opera on a Nanaimo stage.
• See three distinct genres in one curated program: Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, and Cantonese Opera.
• Enjoy the beauty of magnificent costumes, intricate makeup, music, movement, acting, and storytelling.
• Discover why Chinese Opera is often described as “total theatre.”
• Connect with the festival’s related workshops and gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind the performance.

Who This Is For

• Anyone curious about Chinese Opera, classical performance, theatre, music, dance, costume, makeup, or cultural storytelling.
• Audiences who enjoy visually rich, theatrical, and immersive live performance.
• Families, arts lovers, students, cultural communities, and festival-goers.
• People attending the related Chinese Opera workshops who want to see the traditions brought to life on stage.
• Anyone looking for a distinctive evening performance at The Port Theatre.

Good to Know

• This performance features Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, and Cantonese Opera.
• The program includes civilian and military styles, highlighting both refined storytelling and powerful dramatic performance.
• Related festival workshops include Chinese Opera mask making, Chinese Opera makeup application, and How to Ride A Horse.
• Tickets are through The Port Theatre once available.
• Please link artist and group names where possible, including William Lau, Autumn Melody Collective, Sheng-O, Heidi Specht, Bonnie Tam, and Yu-Hua Miao.