Traditional art form gets new lease of life

Photo by Bi Xiaoyang/China Daily

Training youth

On July 11, the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a directive to support and develop traditional Chinese folk operas.

"We give an allowance to troupe members to guarantee an actor's basic livelihood. To popularize folk operas, we also offer free performances in cities and villages of Shandong," says Wang.

"While maintaining the tradition of classic folk opera, new works, which revolve around contemporary stories and costumes, are also needed," Wang adds.

A local surnamed Zheng says that traditional Chinese folk opera troupes face many challenges.

For example, the audiences are mostly elderly people and the troupes still depend on government subsidies to survive.

He also adds that one of the most important things to ensure that the art form survives is a steady stream of trained young actors.

"Chinese folk operas are highly demanding. Actors need to have training from young. But today's young are easily distracted by other options and only a few can devote themselves to the art fully," Zheng says.

Ma Rui, a 15-year-old student of Shandong Art and Culture School in Jinan, kicks her legs more than 400 times every day.

The student of Shandong bangzi, a 300-year-old folk opera form, which is known for its passionate singing, was introduced to the art form by her father, who is also a Shandong bangzi performer and owns an art troupe.

"I have toured with my father since childhood and my father's troupe is famous in my hometown. It's my dream to become a Shandong bangzi actress," says Ma.