Traditional opera takes a tech turn

In a makeshift rehearsal hall in Yiyang, Hunan province, actors in elaborate costumes of Huaguxi (flower drum opera) are producing a livestream. Since their first post on short-video platform Douyin in February 2022, their account has attracted 100,000 followers and 647,000 thumbs-up.

Huaguxi is one of Hunan's traditional art forms and the troupe have built up an increasing online following with their classical repertoire, which is based on the traditional tales of filial piety and loyalty.

In 2008, the dramatic art form was declared a national intangible cultural heritage.

As a member of Heshan District's Huaguxi Troupe, Huang Guiquan never faced much difficulty as a performer before the COVID-19, but as nearly every venue was empty due to pandemic control, he began to feel anxious and confused.

In an attempt to keep going, the troupe's head, Li Zhengliang, decided to move performances online. Their first live broadcast took place on May 19, 2022, and attracted more than 10,000 viewers.

"It was exciting to see so many people watching us," 22-year-old performer Tang Bowen says.

"I felt really nervous during the first livestream, because unlike onstage, viewers on screen were able to see every movement and facial expression."

Tang adds that livestreaming is helping the art form reach a wider audience.

At the livestream location, Li takes the actors through their scenes and reminds the host to interact with viewers.

"Just like applause in the theater, the thumbs-up and virtual gifts given via livestreaming provide direct feedback and encouragement to the actors," says Zeng Shuai, secretary of the troupe.

A comment from one netizen with username Liangjian writes: "Blending tradition with technology, it is an unforgettable experience".

The troupe was founded in 1956 and currently has 43 performers. Their rising reputation online has also led to more opportunities to perform.

Last year, they produced around 150 livestreams, each about three hours in length, which drew more than 20 million views on Douyin, and generated an income of 300,000 yuan ($41,372).

Attracting a stable audience, especially among the young, is a challenge traditional opera troupes have been facing for a long time.

According to a 2015 survey, there were 348 different types of opera, while 60 forms of opera have died out or become nearly extinct due to lack of performers.

Thanks to video-sharing platforms, some performers, like those of Heshan District's Huaguxi Troupe, have been able to find new fans thanks to their innovative twist on traditional opera.

Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, says that social media platforms, like Kuaishou and Douyin, provide a chance for traditional art forms to be seen and appreciated by many more people.

In collaboration with a number of academies and traditional arts troupes, Douyin has been inviting well-known artists to create short videos on its platform since 2019.

On social media platform Sina Weibo, the hashtag "Traditional Chinese operas" has generated more than 21 million views.

"It has become a trend to promote traditional culture through short video platforms," Zhang says, adding that there is still massive untapped potential in the field.