The Jingkun Chinese Opera Company visited MHSG this summer, an event funded by China Now and the HSBC.

The day opened with a fascinating explanation of the various characters and roles in traditional opera. The three artists put on a dazzling display of full costume and make-up with a sword dance and a short performance of the female role.

Workshops then followed with noise levels rising in the percussion class and elegance pervading in the fan dance classes. There was also a workshop on the male character role with movement and horsewhips.

Girls had the chance to transfer carefully researched designs onto traditional fans and there were also some wonderfully tactile maps of China produced.