An actor performs on stage. Photo: Courtesy of the China Theatre Association

The curtains rose recently on the 4th Showcase for Excellent Plays by Private Theatre Troupes Nationwide in Jinjiang, East China's Fujian Province. This marked the initiation of an 11-day spectacle showcasing the best of contemporary private theatrical performances from across the country.   

A total of 14 outstanding productions, spanning drama, children's theater, glove puppetry, as well as traditional Chinese operas like Qinqiang Opera, Yuju Opera, and Ganju Opera have been selected through a nationwide process. 

These performances, created in recent years, showcase high artistic quality and have continually been honed and refined, earning acclaim from audiences.

The event also features a special performance from the island of Taiwan, the glove puppetry play Journey to the West - Bimawen, enriching cultural exchanges across the Straits.

Throughout the event, renowned theater experts from across the nation will assess and provide feedback on the performances, contributing to the ongoing development and elevation of the comprehensive creative capabilities of private theater groups. 

Various theatrical markets and meet-the-artist sessions will be held in traditional street areas, offering a captivating blend of small-scale productions, operatic excerpts, creative performances, and traditional village showcases.

The showcase serves as a nationwide platform dedicated exclusively to private theatrical exchanges. Since its inception in 2018, the event has showcased the collective landscape of contemporary private theatrical groups as crucial contributors to cultural inheritance and artistic innovation. Prior to arriving in Fujian, it has been previously held in Beijing, Henan Province, and online.