A Chinese artist smokes backstage before performing in a English version of the traditional Chinese opera Monkey King at a theatre in Shanghai December 8, 2006. Among the performers is Ghaffar Pourazar of Britain (not in photo), the first foreigner to complete the rigorous training at the Beijing Opera School and the National Academy. He is performing with Chinese artists from the International Centre for Beijing Opera, and other troupes, at their first show in Shanghai. [Reuters]

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