Protection and Inheritance of Local Dramas in China: A Case Study of Liuqin Troupe in Pizhou City

Abstract

This study aims to explore the enlightenment of Liuqin Drama on the protection and inheritance of Chinese local dramas by analyzing the development status of Liuqin Drama, China’s intangible cultural heritage. A case study of Pizhou Liuqin Troupe has been conducted from three aspects: “government actions”, “drama as the subject”, and “practice subject”. Besides, visit and interview against the management of the troupe have been conducted. Collectively, this has restored the appearance of Liuqin Drama in the local development. Based on the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the development background of the research content is unified to directly reflect the widespread problems in the development of Chinese local drama. Research on Chinese local drama demonstrates that regarding “government actions”, Chinese local drama has developed vigorously on the basis of the government’s active policies. To satisfy its development, the government supports its development and reduces political interference. In terms of “drama as the subject”, the production of “homogenization” should be avoided while the performance space should be active in the folk for local dramas on the premise of retaining the characteristics of local dramas. Respecting “practice subject”, they try to discover and protect old artists, return to the mode of “inheritance from master to apprentice”, and accelerate the cultivation and training of new artists. Moreover, it should meet the diverse needs of the audience and cultivate the audience. The results of this study are bound to enable people to deeply interpret and expand the inheritance and protection of Chinese local dramas. It can be the reference materials for the research on the intangible cultural heritage of “living state” inheritance.