Fellow's Profile
Fellow's Profile
Chinese Kun opera
2004
London
I am a self-employed teacher, presenter and promoter of Chinese opera – the Peking opera and Kunqu opera varieties.
The topic of my Fellowship was Kunqu opera. The purpose was to further my Kunqu performance skills in Hangzhou, China, under Wang Fengmei, the renowned actor of the Refined Young Lady Role, typified by the virtuoso solo scene, In Pursuit of the Dream from the Ming Dynasty classic, The Peony Pavilion. Ms Wang is unparalleled in her fine interpretation of the role with unaffected elegance and in-depth understanding of the text. Her portraiture is a legacy to be passed on.
Since my return, I have performed the scene publicly in part or whole over 40 times across the UK, six times at the Venice Biennale Theatre Carnival 2006, and in Malta at the invitation of the Chinese Cultural Centre Malta and Heritage Malta the same year. I have taught the role to Chinese and British students in opera classes. Two of my students have learnt the role to performance level, and I have presented them publicly. One is a young British man who, as far as I know, is the first British 'Dan' in our fine tradition.
The Fellowship has taken my own learning to a higher level.
Kathy Hall (CF 2004) was invited to join ISTA Global Learning Through the Arts' specialist teaching team for its Theatre Arts Perspectives programme at the Lyric Hammersmith in London.
By Kathy Hall, 16 October 2026
Kathy Hall supported UK performances by visiting Kunqu Opera artist Chen Rui in May and returned to the stage herself in July at a Peking Opera singing session in Wimbledon.
By Kathy Hall, 7 July 2025
My Churchill Fellowship of 2004 informed part of my work in Chinese opera. Now, 20 years on, I am delighted to say I continue to put my learning to good use.
By Kathy Hall, 23 May 2024
Self-employed teacher, presenter and promoter of Chinese opera, Kathy Hall (CF 2004) focused her Fellowship on Kunqu opera, so that she could further her Kunqu performance skills in Hangzhou, China. Kathy was invited by the British Museum to perform an excerpt from the Peking Opera, The Imperial Concubine Intoxicated -The Hundred Flowers Pavilion on June 9 2023 at the close of the 2-day Conference: China's 1800s -Material and Visual Culture. In the same evening, Kathy performed an excerpt from the Kunqu Opera, The Palace of Eternal Youth - the Intimate Feast. This was an informative comparison and contrast between the two major Chinese Opera genres in music, singing, and movements.
By Kathy Hall, 30 June 2023
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Kathy Hall (CF 2004) was invited to join ISTA Global Learning Through the Arts' specialist teaching team for its Theatre Arts Perspectives programme at the Lyric Hammersmith in London.
By Kathy Hall, 16 October 2026
Kathy Hall supported UK performances by visiting Kunqu Opera artist Chen Rui in May and returned to the stage herself in July at a Peking Opera singing session in Wimbledon.
By Kathy Hall, 7 July 2025
My Churchill Fellowship of 2004 informed part of my work in Chinese opera. Now, 20 years on, I am delighted to say I continue to put my learning to good use.
By Kathy Hall, 23 May 2024
Self-employed teacher, presenter and promoter of Chinese opera, Kathy Hall (CF 2004) focused her Fellowship on Kunqu opera, so that she could further her Kunqu performance skills in Hangzhou, China. Kathy was invited by the British Museum to perform an excerpt from the Peking Opera, The Imperial Concubine Intoxicated -The Hundred Flowers Pavilion on June 9 2023 at the close of the 2-day Conference: China's 1800s -Material and Visual Culture. In the same evening, Kathy performed an excerpt from the Kunqu Opera, The Palace of Eternal Youth - the Intimate Feast. This was an informative comparison and contrast between the two major Chinese Opera genres in music, singing, and movements.
By Kathy Hall, 30 June 2023
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
