Peking Opera star Wu Rujun will showcase his new opera, Wu Zetian, a piece in which he plays an ancient beauty.

One of China's last Nan Dan, a male performer who specializes in acting female roles, Wu has devoted his time and energy over the past decade to popularizing the art of Peking Opera, not only in China, but across Asia.

He has lived and worked in Japan for 12 years. Last year he founded a Japan Peking Opera Theater. In Japan he performs Peking Opera several times a month and gives jinghu recitals regularly.

In the new opera, which was largely created by Wu himself, he will play an ancient beauty who served as concubine for two Tang Dynasty emperors (618-907), and who rose to become China's first female "emperor" in history.

Tickets: 80-800 yuan (US$10-96)

Time/date: 7:30 pm, December 24

Location: Grand Chang'an Theatre, Jiangguomennei Dajie

Tel: 6510-1307, 6510-1309

(Beijing Weekend December 12, 2003)