Stopping the Horse is a kunqu opera featuring martial arts fighting between a wudan (a female role excelling at martial arts) and a wuchou (a clown who specializes in martial arts). The plot is simple with few twists and turns , but as Yang Ba-Jie and Jiao Guang-Pu are both in disguise for different purposes, the plot development is distinctive in their conflicts and clashes. In addition, the actors must be able to demonstrate highly demanding martial arts skills in accord with the development of the plot, endowing this simple story with intense rhythms. First of all, in order to steal the identity plaque, Jiao Guang-Pu has to stop Yang Ba-Jie who is hurrying off to return to the Song camp. In the process of “stopping the horse,” the two circle each other on the stage, highlighted by somersaults and back flips. Next, in the scene of “appreciating the painting,” as soon as Ba-jie enters the inn, she is surprised to see a painting depicting the scenery of the Southern Dynasty. She starts singing the tune, xu-qien-ying, and at the same time makes some martial arts gestures to indicate eternal vigilance. Meanwhile, Jiao stealthily follows her and makes similar gestures, but he has to keep a low profile, shadowing Ba-jie so that he can steal her identity plaque at the first opportunity. When Ba-Jie finishes singing the line, “I have to be careful not to show my true feelings and fall into a trap,” she suddenly turns around, and Jiao suddenly gets into an upside down pose with both palms pressed against the floor, then flips over to the other side of the sword-wielding Ba-jie. This scene its with singing and complex movement is truly difficult to perform. After failing to steal the identity plaque, Jiao invites Ba-Jie to have a drink and discovers that Ba-Jie is a woman in disguise. This penetrating scene is full of interesting acting: first Ba-Jie walks like a woman when she is alone in a pensive mood, and Jiao becomes suspicious about her when he notices her steps. When Ba-Jie unintentionally reveal her pierced ears after their drink, Jiao lies about a cat trying to catch a mouse on the roof to get Ba-Jie to raise her head to look. Seeing Ba-Jie’s smooth neck with no tell-tale Adam’s apple, Jiao knows for sure that Ba-Jie is a woman. Her steps, her pierced ears, her neck--the three-step deduction is indeed subtle and arresting. Once Ba-Jie’s identity is revealed, the two commence fighting. Jiao kicks the end of the sword’s hilt, making it fly up and catching it in a single movement. This “kicking the sword out of the sheath” is an important element in the opera. In the course of their fight, Ba-Jie aggressively stabs and hacks away while Jiao remains on the defensive, trying to explain whenever opportunities arise. When Jiao tries to fend off Ba-Jie’s attack with a chair, he displays the demanding skill of “the chair show in martial arts,” a truly breathtaking feat.