Yuánxī Ancient Theater Stage

Yuánxī Ancient Theater Stage

The Yuánxī Ancient Theater Stage is a cultural relic protection unit of Lúxī County.

The Yuánxī Ancient Theater Stage is located within the Ancestral Hall of the Liu Family in Yuánxī Village, Yuánnán Township, Lúxī County. It is said to have been built in the 50th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1785 AD). The stage is constructed of brick and wood, with bricks bearing the molded imprint “Yuánxī Liu-Huáng Ancestral Hall.” Four square stone pillars, each 1 zhang 2 chi (approximately 3.84 meters) high, feature inscriptions on their front couplets: “Performing plays, we joyfully meet the occasion, a family tradition of delight beyond the peaceful world; repaying kindness, we fulfill vows as people recognize the laughter of a bountiful year”; the rear couplet reads: “Praying and giving thanks, our forebears rest and harmonize in elegant music; in peace, we follow ancient tunes with graceful songs and dances to thank the gods.” The entire stage is 2 zhang (approximately 6.4 meters) deep and 2 zhang wide; the left and right side entrances (for actors to enter and exit) are 5 chi 2 cun (approximately 1.7 meters) wide, with the right door (used for general access) being 3 chi 3 cun (approximately 1.1 meters) wide; the backstage (dressing room) is 7 chi 2 cun (approximately 2.4 meters) deep and 3 zhang 4 chi (approximately 11.2 meters) wide. The wooden carvings on the stage are exquisitely crafted and magnificent. It is said that this is the ancestral hall of Liu Fènghào, who achieved the title of “Tanhuā” (Third Place in the Imperial Examination) during the Qianlong era.

On the back wall of the stage’s dressing room, there is a record of more than thirty opera troupes that have performed here from the fourth day of the second lunar month in the 26th year of the Daoguang reign [Yì Bān troupe’s inaugural performance], through the Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, Xuantong eras, the Republic of China, and up to the “Great Leap Forward” period after liberation: they are [Gāolín Troupe], [Guìhé Troupe], [Hóngtài Troupe], [Hóngchūn Troupe], [Hóngqìng Troupe], [Tóngshèng Troupe], [Qīngshèng Troupe], [Rénhé Troupe], [Qīngqìng Troupe], [Tàiyì Troupe], [Shénchūn Troupe], [Tónghé Troupe], [Dàqìng Troupe], [Qīnghuá Troupe], [Qīngtái Troupe], [Tàihé Troupe], [Fúchūn Troupe], [Fúfú Troupe], [Qīngqìngtáng Troupe], [Yìhuákūn Troupe]…

The back wall of the stage also preserves records of performances from the 29th and 30th years of the Daoguang reign

: “Thirteen Blessings,” “The Fisherman’s Revenge,” “The Heavenly Gate Formation,” “Lin Chong’s Night Flight,” “Carrying the Wife,” “Beating the Drum and Scolding Cao,” “Five Dragons’ Gathering,” “Red Book and Sword,” “Martial Competition,” “Sacrifice at the Wind Altar”; performances recorded for the 4th year of the Xianfeng reign include: “Sacrifice at the Wind Altar,” “The Longevity Painting,” “The Chronicle of Red Cinnabar,” “The Great Green Mountain,” “Jīnglián Temple,” “Phoenix Pavilion,” “Water West Gate,” “Paper Split Official,” “Drawing Water,” “Autumn River,” “Fire Rescue”; on the twelfth day of the first lunar month in the 8th year of the Xianfeng reign, the [Gāolín Troupe] performed: “Thirteen Blessings,” “The Longevity Painting,” “The Heavenly Gate Formation,” “Sacrifice at the Wind Altar,” “Xīnglóng Gathering,” “The Treasure Lotus Lantern,” “Nine Lotus Lanterns,” “Yúnyáng Pass,” “Three Passes,” “Tiānshuǐ Pass,” “Beating Zhou Tōng with a Stick,” “Lantern Viewing and Fire Setting,” “Three Beats of the Unfilial,” “Hézipéng,” “Playing the Arrow Light Emperor,” as well as records from the 6th year of the Tongzhi reign in October of the [Hóngqìng Troupe]’s five-day “Investiture of the Gods” performances, and from the 11th month of the Jiáchén year in the [Qīngshèng Troupe]’s seven-day “Yue Ye” performances (minus two days), plus five days of minor plays.

If calculated from the year Liu Fènghào passed the imperial examination (1789), this theater stage has a history of over 190 years. If counted from the 29th year of the Daoguang reign (1849), it has at least 140 years of history. This shows the flourishing cultural heritage of Lúxī.

In 2005, villagers of Yuánxī Village, Yuánnán Township, spontaneously raised funds to restore the Yuánxī Ancient Theater Stage.