The National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts will put up four shows at the Chang'an Grand Theater this week to celebrate the 60th anniversary of New China's founding.

   Tomorrow, the academy's young faculty members will present a gala of popular Peking Opera arias.

    Friday will feature the classical repertoire Romance of Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang (Longfeng Chengxiang), with famous actress Zhang Huoding appearing as Sun and actor Chen Lincang as Liu. Based on the Romance of The Three Kingdoms, the play featuring a joyful wedding ceremony is performed during celebratory occasions.

   Saturday will feature a Peking Opera version of the Red Detachment of Women. The ballet with the same title has been tremendously popular since its 1964 premiere, but the Peking Opera rendition, which was also produced during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), has seldom been staged. The revival features new settings and costumes, and is presented by rising students from the academy.

   The celebration shows will wrap up with leading actress Zhang Huoding's appearance on Sunday. The 38-year-old is one of the top performers specializing in the Cheng School, named after the renowned late Peking Opera artist Cheng Yanqiu (1904-1958).