Opera performers mark birth of Mei Lanfang in US

Actress Li hongyan(C) performs Peking Opera "Resisting Jin Troops" at Lincoln Center in New York, the United States, August 20, 2014, celebrating the 120th anniverary of Peking Opera master-Mei Lanfang. [Photo: Xinhua]

China's Peking Opera show marked the 120th anniversary of the birth of the legendary performer Mei Lanfang, with a US tour.

The performance is staged by Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, and led by Mei Lanfang's son, now in his eighties.

A troupe of nearly 90 singers, actors and musicians got together at New York's Lincoln Centre to begin the special tour.

Peking Opera, known as Jingju, is China's national form of theatre.

The show combines unique storytelling, acrobatics, acting and martial art together with Chinese singing and dance.

All of the plays were created by Mei Lanfang, who died in 1961 at the age of 66.

After New York, the troupe will travel to Washington for two performances at the John F. Kennedy theatre for performing arts.