Wanshou Theater

Wanshou Theater

The oldest theater in Gaochun is the Yuan Dynasty Wanshou Theater; originating from *The Gaochun Yangqiang Mulian Opera* of the late Yuan and early Ming periods, it holds a unique place among various ancient opera genres nationwide.

Gaochun’s oldest theater is called Wanshou Stage. It is located in Liujialong Village, about five li south of Gucheng Town, and was first built in the first year of the Yanyou era of the Yuan Dynasty, which is 1314 AD. Due to its long history, it is also known as the Wannian Theater.

The art of opera in Gaochun originated during the Song Dynasty. Initially, only Southern melodies were performed — that is, operas using southern dialects with tonal patterns, music based on the pentatonic scale, accompanied by xiao and dizi flutes, and featuring soft, gentle melodies. Later, with the migration of large numbers of northern people to the south to escape turmoil, Northern melodies were introduced. Northern melodies corresponded to Southern ones, with firmer, more straightforward tones and music based on the heptatonic scale. The Yuan Dynasty was the golden age of Chinese opera, with famous works such as *The Injustice to Dou E* and *The Romance of the West Chamber* emerging during that time. The operatic arts in the Gaochun region evolved accordingly from Southern and Northern melodies into Yuan zaju — a comprehensive form integrating music, song and dance movements, and spoken dialogue. This was...

a relatively mature form of drama.　

During the Yuan Dynasty, the imperial examination system was abolished, and a policy of ethnic stratification was implemented, dividing people into four classes. Gaochun belonged to the lowest class, the “Southern people.” As a result, some scholarly families, especially descendants of officials and nobles who had migrated south to escape chaos, lost opportunities to pursue official careers. Consequently, they turned their energy to playing musical instruments, singing, and performing music, becoming semi-professional artists and drama enthusiasts. Some educated monks and Taoists also joined this movement, leading to a temporary boom in ancient opera in Gaochun. At that time, during agricultural off-seasons or festivals — especially in years of bumper harvests — setting up stages and staging operas gradually became a folk custom.　

Because *The Gaochun Yangqiang Mulian Opera* contained considerable content promoting feudal superstition and the concept of karma, it gradually declined over time. However, due to its unique style, it is still studied by opera experts as one of the subjects related to the origins of Chinese theatrical genres. The Wanshou Theater, which dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, has undergone reconstruction and multiple renovations, but due to its age, many carvings and decorations have been severely damaged. Nevertheless, the basic structure of the theater building remains, and it was listed as a county-level protected cultural relic in 1984. Climbing onto this ancient stage today, one can still imagine the grandeur of theatrical performances and temple fairs in those days.