The Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) hosted the classic Beijing Quju Opera Teahouse, performed by the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe, on Oct 24 at its Liangxiang campus.

Quju Opera is the only opera genre native to Beijing. It was named by the acclaimed writer Lao She in 1952, and its language carries a distinct Beijing flavor. This form combines the warmth of traditional narrative singing with the expressive power of theater.

In 2021, Quju Opera was included in Beijing's fifth batch of representative municipal intangible cultural heritage items.

Teahouse is adapted from Lao She's classic play of the same name. Set in the Yutai Teahouse of old Beijing, it follows the fates of a wide cast of characters across three historical periods — the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the early years of the Republic of China and the years following the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression— mirroring the social realities and upheavals of the times.

Through expressive acting, vivid dialogue and richly flavored Beijing-style singing, the performers sketched a portrait of people carried along by the currents of the times.

In recent years, BIT has drawn on its cultural venues to bring high-level performances to campus for faculty and students, making its theater a regular stop for major productions. More performances are expected to be delivered at the university.