In singing, we appreciate one’s musical allure. Recitation showcases one’s calibre. Drama highlights the change of emotions. Sparring relies on one’s basic training.  —George Shen

In each of the book’s six chapters, the author walks through the appreciation of a traditional art form – Peking opera. The author first recalls his unfamiliarity with the boisterous opera, and continues to discuss the characteristics of the stage, the techniques of the actors, and the beauty of the form. Finally, he talks about why people gradually grow to love Peking opera. The author has intended to discuss neither the history nor the theories of Peking opera, but his personal appreciation of the art form from a professional angle. Sharing his experiences and insight as a Peking opera devotee, he turns Peking opera inside out and makes this tradition accessible to all, which is why this work is so valuable. 

This book is about Peking opera, a performing art that involves physical movements. However, texts and figures are all ‘static’ so that even if reading engages one’s imagination, the act of reading remains rather still. To introduce the element of movement into the book, I instil new meanings into flipping the book. The passing of time is animated by flipping pages, and moving images will appear in this embedded flip book animation. Three basic gestures on a Peking opera stage, namely adjusting the armour (Qiba), riding a horse (Tangma), and swirling dress sleeves (Shuixiu), are shown as one flips the book, bringing the animations to life.