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Story of China
The Show Must Go On!
Michael joins a traditional acting troupe on their bus to a tiny village near Yangzhou. They are going there to perform a traditional drama for a local woman's 90th birthday - in the icy outdoors! We watch the actors and musicians prepare the set, put on their makeup, and get into costume as the whole village turns out despite the freezing cold and snow –with Granny in the front row!
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55:18
The great Taiping Rebellion, the fall of the Empire and the rise of Mao.
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55:48
Michael Wood tells the dramatic tale of China's last empire, the Qing.
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56:48
The time of the Great Wall , the Forbidden City and treasure ships sent on ocean voyages.
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55:18
Michael Wood tells the tale of China's Renaissance.
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57:33
Michael Wood conjures up China's first great international age, the Tang Dynasty.
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55:18
Michael Wood returns to the beginnings of Chinese history to find clues to today's China.