Transforming Tradition: Performances ofJingju(‘Beijing Opera’) in the UK

Abstract

Jingju(‘Beijing opera’) is China's most iconic traditional theatre, marketed as a global signifier of Chinese theatre and national identity. Although troupes from mainland China regularly tour Europe, audiences in the UK have also had access toJingjuvia two indigenous organizations: the UK Beijing Opera Society (now defunct) and the London Jing Kun Opera Association (now in its ninth year). These organizations consist of Chinese, overseas Chinese and Western performers performing bothJingjuandKunju(‘Kun opera’). Where there is a mix of ethnicity, can ‘traditional Chinese theatre’ still be conceived of as ‘traditional’? How isJingjumapped onto non-Chinese bodies? CanJingjuperformances by ethnically white performers reflect diasporic identities? Drawing on the theories of Judith Butler and Homi Bhabha, this article argues that by highlighting the performativity of identity, the performance ofJingjuby non-Chinese performers challenges the notion ofJingjuas a global signifier of ‘authentic traditional Chinese theatre’.