Many places in China are exploring "drama + ancient architecture", revitalizing ancient theaters and activating the "night economy"

China News Service, Taiyuan, November 14 (Reporter Hu Jian) ​​On an ancient stage built in the Ming Dynasty, an immersive drama based on traditional Chinese opera "The Stage·The Strange Story: Overlord's Farewell" is performed every week. On the stage is a story about the Republic of China in which the audience decides the ending of the plot. Off the stage are the audience sitting in groups of twos and threes around the actors. Taiyuan, Shanxi is activating the nighttime cultural tourism economy in the form of "drama + ancient buildings".

On the evening of November 13, in Taiyuan, Shanxi, an immersive performance was performed on an ancient stage with a history of more than 600 years. Photo by Wei Liang

The Xiaojingyu Ancient Stage, located in Wanbolin District, Taiyuan, Shanxi, is said to have been built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated in 1914. It has a history of nearly 600 years. For a long time in the past, its role was to be "visited": people looked up at the brackets and read the inscriptions. Nowadays, it is open to the public in the form of immersive performances, with ancient wooden pillars, prosceniums, and old brick walls all becoming part of the set.

"The Stage: Strange Stories: Overlord's Farewell" takes the theater of the Republic of China as the narrative background, integrates traditional opera singing, chanting, and fighting, and uses multiple clues to parallel the narrative. The audience votes to determine the ending, and the actors stage different endings based on the voting results. This kind of narrative that can be rewritten by the audience is the reason why young audiences are willing to watch it twice or three times.

Data shows that since the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, the show's attendance rate has been about 98%, and tickets can be purchased on social platforms that young people are keen on. For the younger generation who are accustomed to scripts, secret rooms and livehouses, a theater ticket buys not only "watching", but also a deeply involved social experience.

On the evening of November 13, in Taiyuan, Shanxi, during the performance of "The Stage·The Story of Strange Stories: Overlord Farewell", the audience could vote to decide the ending of the plot. Photo by Wei Liang

Such attempts of "drama + ancient architecture" are appearing in many cities in China.

The immersive and interactive Peking Opera "Jin Xi You Drama" is staged at the 21st Xiyuan Ancient Stage in Xinanli, Nanjing. Audiences can receive costumes and follow the actors to learn how to do the water sleeves. Xinjiang Hotan Youtegan Ancient City has immersive performances, forming a consumption chain with night markets and business districts; Henan Anyang creates scripted tours and immersive dramas in the ancient city, upgrading "night tours" to "night entertainment."

Wang Xiaodong, vice chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said that the bottom line of cultural relics protection must be strictly adhered to, the ancient architectural texture and historical features of the ancient stage should be scientifically protected, and on this basis, the cultural space of the ancient stage should be continued to be revitalized and the efficiency of the use of cultural relics should be improved. Relying on new formats and forms of immersive performing arts, we can achieve "old ancient buildings with new looks and old stories with new expressions", and create a cultural tourism performing arts IP with Taiyuan characteristics.

It is understood that "Bawang Farewell" is the first play in the "Stage·Story of Strange Stories" IP series, and is currently negotiating with the Ancient Theater of the Summer Palace in Beijing for a resident performance. (over)