Beijing exhibit shows opera sketches

Beijing is hosting season to display the diversity of local operas from across China. All productions exhibited take the form of short sketches, which capture the essence of the ancient performing arts.

"Love of the Earth" will run from Monday through Sunday at three theaters around Beijing. It will feature 79 sketches from more than 10 local operas, including Wan Wan Qiang from Shanxi Province, and Chuju from Hubei Province. Each sketch lasts about ten minutes. All follow stories relevant to contemporary life. And most are set in rural areas. Some of the topics are the preservation of intangible heritage, local poverty relief efforts, and the dynamics of ethnic communities.

In addition to singing, dancing, and performing skills, the artists also impress with the latest stage sets and props. In "Magpie's Nest", the creators employ the latest technologies, matching the bold-colored costumes with light and sound.

The stories are mostly contemporary, but the art forms can go back centuries. Some like the Huaiju from East China's Jiangsu province, used to dominated the regional theater with such major genres like Peking Opera and Huiju Opera.