TV series highlights shadow plays

Tangshan City in Hebei province boasts what are considered three jewels of folk culture. There's Pingju Opera, the shadow play and the Leting drum. Now those cultural jewels are about to be exposed to a nationwide audience, as a 30-episode TV series goes into production. Headquarters for the production are in the northern part of Beijing. Let's check it out.

Chinese actor Nie Yuan plays a renowned shadow play artist. (Photo: CCTV.com)

Chinese actor Nie Yuan plays a renowned shadow play artist. He's expected to sing and perform shadow plays. But he has an additional challenge. His character must evolve over a span of thirty years between the ages of 20 and 50. The story commences at the end of the Qing Dynasty and concludes during the 1940s. Significant changes are required in the principal character's looks and bearing.

Assisting the cast is a teacher, who comes from a Hebei shadow play troupe. He gives Nie Yuan, professional training in the art during shooting intervals.

Chinese actor Nie Yuan plays a renowned shadow play artist. (Photo: CCTV.com)

The folk arts portrayed are so much refined, that ten days of intense training, provides only the most superficial grasp. For the most part the singing is lip-synched. The actual vocals are performed by an off-camera professional, as Nie tries to keep up.

The series goes to post production in late August. Broadcast is scheduled for early next year.