About this Event
Join us for Peking Opera: Movement, Character, and Performance, a practical introduction to one of China’s most distinctive traditional performing arts.
Course Dates and Location
Time: Mondays - 13.00-14.00
Location: Room 253, Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths
No Classes During Reading Week: Monday 2 - Sunday 8 November 2026
This is a 10 week course.
Course Overview
This 10-week short course offers an accessible and engaging way to explore Peking Opera through movement, physical expression, character work and performance. Rather than focusing primarily on theory, students will learn through doing, using the body to discover how Peking Opera communicates character, emotion, action and story on stage.
Across the course, participants will explore basic Peking Opera posture, stage walking, gestures, eye expression, stage poses, character movement, folding fan work, mime and stylised action. Students will also be introduced to the four major role types — Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou — and experience how different characters can be created through changes in movement, posture and physical expression.
Approximately 70% of each session will be devoted to movement exercises, performance games, pair and group activities, improvisation and creative practice.
By the end of the course, students will have developed a basic vocabulary of Peking Opera movement and will work together to create and perform a short Peking Opera-inspired scene.
No previous experience of Peking Opera, Chinese language, dance or theatre is required.
Key Learning Areas
* Basic Peking Opera posture and physical presence
* Stage walking, turning, entrances and exits
* Peking Opera gestures and physical storytelling
* Eye expression and facial expression
* Liangxiang (stage poses) and physical presence
* Character movement and the four major role types: Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou
* Basic folding fan movements and performance techniques
* Mime and the creation of imaginary objects and spaces
* Physical expression of emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness and surprise
* Simple stylised martial movement and stage action
* Pair and group performance
* Creative movement composition
* An introduction to the cultural and theatrical traditions of Peking Opera
Who Should Attend?
This course is suitable for:
* International students interested in Chinese culture and traditional performing arts
* Beginners interested in Peking Opera, theatre, dance or physical performance
* Students looking for a practical and creative way to explore Chinese culture
* Mandarin learners interested in experiencing Chinese culture through performance
* Students interested in non-verbal storytelling and physical expression
* Anyone curious about how performers use the body to communicate character, emotion and story
No previous experience of Peking Opera, dance, theatre or Mandarin is required.
What Will You Learn?
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
* Demonstrate basic Peking Opera posture, gestures and stage movements
* Use gaze, gesture and physical movement to communicate simple emotions and intentions
* Explore the physical characteristics of different Peking Opera role types
* Perform basic entrances, exits, turns and stage poses
* Use a folding fan as a simple performance prop
* Create imaginary objects, spaces and actions through mime
* Use physical movement to communicate a simple story
* Work collaboratively to create and perform a short movement-based scene
* Develop confidence in physical expression, performance and teamwork
* Gain a practical understanding of the distinctive physical language and performance traditions of Peking Opera
Discount
We offer Goldsmiths staff, students, alumni, local Lewisham residents, over 65s and those in receipt of income support a 15% discount. To receive the discount code, you need to provide proof to [email protected] before we can send you the discount code.
DISCLAIMER - If you are undertaking an in-person course please note that we may need to move the course online due to any unforeseen circumstances. Please note no refunds are issued for moving courses online.
REFUNDS: Refunds can be processed up to 7 days prior to the event. You will be refunded your fee excluding Eventbrite fees and taxes.
Event venue & nearby stays
Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths, Lewisham Way, London, United Kingdom
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