The last stage

China Daily | Updated: 2013-08-16 08:57

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As fewer people become involved in Pinghua storytelling, the ancient art faces eternal silence

Pinghua storytelling is an ancient art dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The performer tells stories in local dialect, sometimes accompanied with singing. This art form was popular in Southeast China and was selected as intangible cultural heritage by the Chinese government in 2006. But this "living fossil of art" has very few performers now. The Yuye Pinghua Storytelling House in Fuzhou, Fujian province, has some of the best ones.

The props an artist uses in a pinghua performance.

The first row of seats is reserved for those with monthly tickets. Photos by Zhang Bin / for China Daily

In its heyday, more than 500 storytellers were active. Now there are only 30.

The Yuye Pinghua Storytelling House is converted from an old factory.

Competing with TV, radio and film, live storytelling is attracting smaller audiences.

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