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of the Pear Garden" (T).
This Chinese version of Don Juan lived an absolute profligate life. In his later years, he lavished much of his love on a country-bred beauty called Yang Yu-huan (E) and neglected his State's affairs, which brought about his downfall. In 755 A.D., one of his trusted lieutenants named An Lu-shan (I), a half-Turk, half-Sogdian, revolted. The poor Emperor had to flee from Ch'ang An (E), his capital, with just a few escorts, including his immediate family and a few soldiers, heading for Szechwan (PTI). When the entourage arrived at a place called Ma Wei Po (5), the escorting soldiers refused to go any further and demanded that the Emperor get rid of the concubine Yang. The Emperor had to give in and act accordingly. At last, a general named Kwo Tzi-yı (97) put down the rebellion and restored peace to the land. The Emperor Xuan-zong lost his throne to his son.
If you ever go to Xian (1) in the Shaanxi Province, you will find a bathhouse called Hwa Ch'ing Chih (#) in the suburb where Yang Yu Huan used to bathe. The area has been restored and kept in good condition to this day.
Taboos
There are many, many regulations and taboos in the Chinese theatrical circle, including the Peking Opera group. Some of these taboos help to keep smooth the running of the theatre as an orderly institution; otherwise, chaos would reign. For instance, the actors and actresses are not allowed to sit on the trunks of other performers. Once I had the privilege of visiting the backstage of a Peking Opera theatre. There were rows and rows of heavy trunks on the floor where the stage clothing was stored. Some of the actors or actresses were doing their make-up. Layers and layers of stage clothing were neatly folded and stacked in the trunks. There was order and neatness everywhere. Imagine, in the absence of taboo and regulations, what the situation would be. It could be a madhouse where everyone was fighting to have the right kind of clothing to go on the stage, and when they finished acting, they would just throw things around.
I know one or two other taboos, of which everyone, yes everyone, has to observe, such as you should never utter the word “Geng" "E”
56
of the Pear Garden" (T).
This Chinese version of Don Juan lived an absolute profligate life. In his later years, he lavished much of his love on a country bred beauty called Yang Yu-huan (E) and neglected his State's affairs which brought his downfall. In 755 A.D., one of his trusted lieutenants name An Lu-shan (I), a half -Turk, half - Sogdian, revolted. The poor Emperor had to flee from Ch'ang An (E), his capital, with just a few escorts, including his immediate family, and a few soldiers, heading for Szechwan (PTI). When the entourage arrived at a place called Ma Wei Po (5) the escorting soldiers refused to go any further and demanded that the emperor get rid of the concubine Yang. The Emperor had to give in and act accordingly. At last, a general named Kwo Tzi- yı (97) put down the rebellion and restored peace to the land. The Emperor Xuan-zong lost his throne to his son.
If you ever go to Xian (1) in the Shaanxi Province, you will find a bath house called Hwa Ch'ing Chih (#) in the suburb where Yang Yu Huan used to bathe. The area has been restored and kept in good condition to this day.
Taboos
There are many, many regulations and taboos in the Chinese theatrical circle, including the Peking Opera group. Some of these taboos help to keep smooth the running of the theatre as an orderly institution, otherwise chaos would reign. For instance, the actors and actresses are not allowed to sit on the trunks of other performers Once I had the privilege of visiting the back stage of a Peking Opera theatre. There were rows and rows of heavy trunks on the floor where the stage clothings were stored. Some of the actors or actresses were doing their make-up. Layers and layers of stage clothings were neatly folded and stacked in the trunks. There was order and neatness everywhere. Imagine, in the absence of taboo and regulations, what the situation would be. It could be a mad house where everyone was fighting to have the right kind of clothing to go on the stage and when they finished acting, they would just throw things around.
I know one or two other taboos, of which everyone, yes everyone, has to observe, such as you should never utter the word “Geng" "E”
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