About

Bringing together emerging artists and inspiring new perspectives in Chinese opera artistry and stage technology

The Xiqu Centre’s annual Black Box Chinese Opera Festival highlights original productions offering new perspectives on the history, evolution and potential future of Chinese opera. Bringing together emerging artists from around the region, the event inspires and facilitates exchange between practitioners as part of the contemporary network of experimental Chinese opera festivals.

Alongside award-winning contemporary productions of rare and well-known regional genres, the festival also offers workshops and talks that give local audiences deeper insight into individual works and the history and traditions that have inspired them.

The festival is an important part of the Xiqu Centre’s mission to preserve tradition, foster creativity and extend the reach of a heritage art form. By showcasing breakthroughs in artistic and stage innovation, we hope to engage audiences with a glimpse of the diversity and vitality of Chinese opera.