Shen Tiemei: Sichuan Opera is More than Face Changing, Fire Breathing

Protecting and developing Sichuan opera is drawing more and more attention. Shen Tiemei, Director of Chongqing Sichuan Opera Theater, suggested establishing an association or a foundation for the promotion and development of Sichuan Opera.

"Establishing an association for the promotion of Sichuan opera art or a foundation for the development of Sichuan opera is good for the development, popularization, research, talent training, and promotion of Sichuan opera, and can provide professional guidance for Sichuan opera protection and development," said Shen Tiemei.

Shen Tiemei,  Director of Chongqing Sichuan Opera Theater. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

In the eyes of Shen Tiemei, Sichuan opera is faced with a host of development challenges when virtually all Chinese opera genres are experiencing the threat of "falling into oblivion." Therefore, protecting and developing Sichuan opera can serve as a valuable guideline for protecting and carrying forward other traditional cultures. "It is high time for us to do so," said Shen Tiemei.

Shen Tiemei has seen more scope for the integrated development of Sichuan opera as constant progress is made in the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. "As our two places work to build Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, Sichuan opera, as a cultural treasure shared by us, will play a great role in the construction of a corridor of culture."

Shen Tiemei suggested Chengdu and Chongqing invest jointly in establishing an association for the promotion of Sichuan opera art or a foundation for the development of Sichuan opera in Chongqing and encourage and guide citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations to establish profit-oriented Sichuan opera performance groups, build venues to show and teach Sichuan opera art, and promote activities to perform, popularize, and inherit Sichuan opera art. Meanwhile, she also suggested providing stronger support in Sichuan opera art creation of theater troupes and individuals as well as in original scripts and repertoires, and relevant theoretical research, and re-rehearsing classic and excellent plays.

Performance of Sichuan Opera. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Association or Foundation for Sichuan opera 

Lacking talents is also a problem needed to be solved for the development of Sichuan Opera. "Talent here includes performance talent, music talent, and scriptwriting talent." Speaking of talent, education plays a significant role in this regard. Therefore, Shen Tiemei stated that the absence of Sichuan opera education is also "an urgent problem to be solved." As she said, "Sichuan opera is free and focuses on people's daily life. Behind, however, lies methodology and basic training. Metaphorically speaking, you will be 'tied up' until your legs and feet grow straight."

So she suggested an association for the promotion of Sichuan opera art or the foundation for the development of Sichuan opera provide a "platform" for training excellent Sichuan opera talent, introducing talent training plans and regulations, holding important contests, supporting senior Sichuan opera artists to make disciples and pass on the art, and develop new theater troupes.

How can traditional culture "step out of the box"? It is a question nagging at many people in the profession. "Intangible cultural heritage should not be something locked in a box, but a kind of cultural essence that plays a very significant role in social development." According to Shen Tiemei, "a bridge" is needed if traditional culture wants to "step out of the box." "Metaphorically speaking, people in the profession are like researchers who need to have products materialized." In this connection, the association for promoting Sichuan opera art or the foundation for the development of Sichuan opera can work as a leverage to attract social resources, thus "drawing the attention of the society and enterprises to cultural development."

The Chongqing Sichuan Opera Art Center staged a series of cultural shows during the Spring Festival. (Photo/ Chongqing Liangjiang New Area)

Promoting traditional opera with short videos

Increasing the engagement of "the young generation" is key to passing on and carrying forward traditional culture. Shen Tiemei and other professionals have made some attempts in this regard. "On the premise of not destroying the traditional ideas or spirit in the works, we may make some changes to make them more attractive for young audiences in terms of rhythm and storytelling," said she.

New methods of communication have provided some new ideas. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, more and more opera performers have started to upload content on short video platforms, letting traditional operas be seen in new ways. Shen Tiemei said she "strongly supports and agrees" about this. "Through short videos, we can make more people know the charm of the traditional opera with less time and in a more extensive way."

However, Shen Tiemei focuses more on using what content to attract people. "It is quite a challenge. Sichuan opera is more than face changing, fire breathing, and sword hiding. Certainly, there is content that can more capture the essence of Sichuan opera."