0:00:11 > 0:00:13A night out at the opera.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16But this is no ordinary show.
0:00:16 > 0:00:22It is Xiao Ya, yueju artist and one of Shanghai's biggest stars.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38SHE SINGS
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Yueju is a lyrical opera.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48Originating in south-east China, it features an all-female cast.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02TRANSLATION:
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Her mother's hopes were realised.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26Xiao Ya won a place at the Shanghai Academy for Dramatic Arts.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Her stature and her voice were perfect for the role of Xiao Sheng,
0:01:29 > 0:01:30the male hero.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35She later joined a state troupe.
0:01:35 > 0:01:42Her talent was spotted and soon, she was performing in famous venues and collecting awards.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46She was well on her way to the top.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Yueju takes romantic folk tales and legends as its themes.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58This is about a love-sick artist who, after many years,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02returns to look for the maiden who once posed for him.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11For Xiao Ya, playing roles like this required a dramatic change of personality.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Being different is her trademark.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Traditional opera is a niche market and Xiao Ya wanted more popular appeal.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07At the state troupe, she developed her own style
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and branched out into Western arias and pop songs.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Colleagues criticised her.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21But to Xiao Ya, artistic freedom was crucial.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25If the troupe wouldn't accept her, she'd start her own company.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27And that is what she did.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59Xiao Ya's decision to set up on her own was a bold step.
0:04:22 > 0:04:28Xiao Ya commissions a handpicked team of people to put on her next production.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32They're discussing their forthcoming regional tour.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00But it's not that simple.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05Government-backed troupes often get the pick of the venues and free publicity.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11No such privileges for those outside the state system.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16Xiao Ya and her agent have to seek out for opportunities to build up her profile.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21HE SPEAKS CHINESE
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Widening her repertoire.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Singing to student audiences.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Giving charity performances.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Now, Xiao Ya not only has a huge following,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35she's won critical acclaim.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Being a top performer is not enough.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Xiao Ya has to be a businesswoman.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Recording CDs will help her voice reach more homes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55In modern Shanghai, survival is tough for traditional opera.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57For independent artistes, even harder.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10But Xiao Ya's belief in herself keeps driving her forward...
0:06:17 > 0:06:19..at the cost of her personal life.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24When China opened up in the '90s, like many youngsters,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Xiao Ya was mesmerised by the West,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and left for the United States.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34She married an American Chinese and filled her days with shopping sprees
0:06:34 > 0:06:36and mahjong sessions.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39The novelty soon wore off.
0:07:04 > 0:07:10Once again, Xiao Ya gave up security for the sake of her music.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13SHE SINGS
0:07:17 > 0:07:21Single again, she takes comfort in her close-knit family.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27She dotes on her nephew, who's become her closest friend and fiercest critic.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45HE RECITES LYRICS IN CHINESE:
0:07:48 > 0:07:50THEY SING IN UNISON
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Today, the troupe's setting off for Suzhou.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Suzhou will be a challenge.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02In this city of culture, audience expectations are high.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09While everyone prepares for the evening show...
0:09:09 > 0:09:11GONG STRIKES
0:09:11 > 0:09:13..Xiao Ya escapes for some peace and quiet.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40ORCHESTRA TUNES UP
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Backstage, dedicated fans come to wish Xiao Ya well.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59They've travelled over two hours just to see her show.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02The fans are mostly middle-aged and mostly women.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06She needs to attract younger audiences.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08One way is to use vibrant colours.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46APPLAUSE
0:10:57 > 0:11:01But keeping traditional audiences happy isn't enough.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Xiao Ya wants to take on the world.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06ENTHUSIASTIC APPLAUSE AND CHEERS
0:12:08 > 0:12:11CHATTERING
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Suzhou was even more successful than they'd hoped.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37A fine moment to celebrate the company's first anniversary.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25SHE SINGS
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Subtitles by Heather Middleton Red Bee Media
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Email Subtitling@bbc.co.uk