Xiqu, or more commonly referred to as Chinese Opera, is a form of musical theatre that originates from China. A Xiqu performance is never dull. It is full of colourful characters singing and performing acrobatic martial arts stunts.

But what are the common roles you can find in a Xiqu performance? How do characters in these roles dress or sing? How do you tell a character playing a clown role from a character playing the role of a scholar? What does a female warrior wear? What about a young princess? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the student guide created specially for beginners to the art form.