An enduring enchantment with Peking Opera

The global success of the Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong has helped introduce the tale of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, to people around the world. But for Anglo-Iranian Ghaffar Pourazar, the legendary figure has been a part of his life for decades.

Seated before the backstage mirror at Beijing's Liyuan Theatre, an old Peking Opera venue especially popular with foreign travelers, Pourazar deftly applies white, red and black paint to his face, creating the likeness of the mischievous character.

"How time flies! Look at you, you're an old monkey now!" remarks an elderly member of the opera troupe. "Indeed, I am now a white-haired Monkey King," the 63-year-old replies in Mandarin, his Beijing accent showing through.

Pourazar has spent the past three decades mastering Peking Opera, establishing himself as one of the few foreign performers to excel in the traditional art, earning himself fame for his portrayal of the superhero from the classic novel Journey to the West.

Currently, Pourazar travels between China and the United States as a cultural ambassador, introducing Peking Opera to American audiences, and his unique perspective of the art to Chinese audiences. "I want to be a bridge between cultures," he says, reflecting on his multicultural background.

Love at first sight

Pourazar's lifelong passion for Peking Opera began by chance. In 1993, the then 32-year-old computer animator attended a performance at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall and was instantly captivated.

"I was crying," he says. "I previously had a passion for a number of art forms, including acting, dancing and mime but at that moment, everything else faded away. I saw the convergence of all these arts in Peking Opera."

He went backstage after the show and made friends with the performers. "We didn't speak each other's language, but they could see my passion," he says.

With the help of the head of the troupe, Pourazar enrolled at an opera school in Beijing. Just three months after his first exposure to Peking Opera, he left his life in Britain behind and moved to Beijing to train in martial art roles.

Starting as an adult was not easy, as Peking Opera is a complex blend of vocal performance, mime, martial arts, dance, and acrobatics. "My classmates were all children," he says. "As an adult without any basic skills, it was very hard to practice the movements."

In addition to the physical demands, mastering Chinese was another hurdle. "I was constantly reciting the subtitles and songs, whether I was eating, bathing, walking, or even dreaming," Pourazar adds.

"Though there were some extremely painful days, I enjoyed every moment," he says.

Initially, he focused on portraying soldiers and generals like Wu Song and Lin Chong, before eventually transitioning to the iconic role of the Monkey King.

Lifelong commitment

Pourazar believes that great art transcends language. Over the years, he has devoted himself to introducing Peking Opera and Sun Wukong to international audiences, taking Chinese performers to places like the US, Britain and Malaysia.

He teaches courses and organizes workshops in the US, bringing Peking Opera to curious learners and has also adapted classic plays like The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven into English. "I changed the spoken parts and kept the original songs, and it became a success on the international stage," he says.

"I am the most powerful spirit in heaven and earth," Pourazar exclaims, dressed in the signature yellow costume of the Monkey King. As he recites the dialogue in English with the distinctive intonation of Peking Opera, he leaps, flips and executes movements that capture the playful nature of the mischievous monkey.

Over the past two decades, his performances have introduced the character to people abroad. "My nephew has become so enamored with the Monkey King that he taught himself to perform the character," Pourazar says.

"I love the Monkey King for his simplicity and the inner child that defines his character. His love of freedom and quest for longevity are also qualities I respect," he says. "I believe he resonates with people of different cultures."

He has also adapted Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream into Peking Opera. "By presenting a story that Western audiences are already familiar with, I hope to introduce them to the beauty of Peking Opera," he says.

In recognition of his contributions, Pourazar received the Great Wall Friendship Award from the Beijing government in 2014.

Over the years, he has suffered injuries and health issues. His right knee is arthritic, and he suffers from edema due to excessive exertion during a recent Peking Opera workshop in California, but he continues undeterred.

"I rely on traditional Chinese medicine when I am unwell or injured," he says, sipping green tea from a thermos and adds that his love of Chinese culture extends beyond Peking Opera, to calligraphy, painting, cuisine, and kung fu.

Despite his health challenges and advancing age, Pourazar remains committed to his art.

He is currently working on two Broadway-style musical projects, both influenced by Peking Opera traditions. The first, Dream of Wukong, explores his personal journey mastering Peking Opera, while the second, Dr Jane Goodall, is the story of the renowned British ecologist and her extensive work with chimpanzees.

"Cultural exchange should be reciprocal. I aim to blend my expertise in opera with my multicultural background to create enriching artistic experiences for the audience," Pourazar says.

Xinhua