On October 16, the inaugural National Small Theater and Sketch Performance kicked off in Changsha, featuring four impressive pieces such as the Xiangju play “One Lantern for Guidance,” showcasing a blind woman illuminating the way for lost souls, and the flower-drum opera “Cat Examination,” which reflects the loneliness of elderly individuals living alone.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Hunan Provincial People’s Government, with support from various cultural and tourism departments, this event aims to promote the continuous emergence of outstanding small plays and creative talent, fostering balanced development across all forms of stage arts.
This year’s exhibition will showcase 55 exceptional works from 28 provinces, highlighting a range of performances including small operas, one-act plays, dramas, and sketches, as well as local folk arts. Featured genres include Xiangju, Hanju, Shangdang Bangzi, Huangmei Opera, Xiju, and Yuju, all of which illustrate the diversity and richness of Chinese theatrical art.
The themes of these performances are equally varied, infused with everyday life and contemporary spirit. Highlights include the Xiangju play “The Great Return,” which tells the legendary story of Tang Qunying, a pioneer of the Chinese women’s movement; the small drama “Chinese Painting in a Square Inch,” which preserves outstanding traditional Chinese culture; and the Shaoyang flower-drum opera “The Lantern Incident,” which portrays human warmth through a social event focused on “light and accountability.” Other notable works include the Tibetan sketch “We Are All One Family,” promoting national unity, and the Jingju play “Guard Your Wallet,” which exposes the dangers of online scams.
The exhibition will run until October 28 and will include a variety of activities such as individual performance evaluations, specialized seminars, an ecological boatman’s song invitation showcase, a featured presentation of outstanding folk arts from Hunan Province, and a closing ceremony. These events aim to highlight the artistic charm and contemporary flair of small theater and sketches, encouraging exchanges among various literary and artistic troupes, particularly grassroots organizations. This initiative seeks to enhance the role of “small but beautiful” artistic achievements and to continuously invigorate the flourishing landscape of Chinese arts in the new era.
