Kathy Hall, an acclaimed performer and teacher working in the UK for over twenty years, will lead a special event to mark the 130th anniversary of the birth of Mei Lanfang, a celebrated Chinese Peking Opera artist who was the first person to introduce the Peking Opera to overseas audiences.
The afternoon will concentrate on many aspects of his distinguished life and career including the historical perspective, the qualities of his style, the innovations he introduced, his legacy in opera, his interest in visual and performing arts and his overseas visits.
Kathy Hall will also give two short performances in costume, with English and Chinese Surtitles, the first only performed once previously in the UK by Kathy at SOAS in 2014. It is Peking Opera’s The Cosmic Blade – Feigning Madness at Home. The second, from Kunqu Opera, is The Peony Pavilion – The Stroll in the Garden.
Please Click Here to Book Now!
Kathy Hall is an acclaimed performer and teacher who has worked in the UK for over twenty years. Born and educated in Hong Kong, Kathy Lee Hall discovered Chinese Opera while studying for an MPhil in Comparative Literature. She studied privately with Bao Youdie, a specialist on Mei Lanfang and learnt Kunqu from top actors in Hong Kong and China.
Kathy was the first Secretary General of the newly established (1993) Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Since moving to the UK in 1997, she has been promoting Chinese Opera in schools, community centres and arts organisations, both in the UK and overseas.
She has given numerous performances and workshops, including six Kunqu performances at the Venice Biennale in 2006. In 2004 she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship.