The first Yangtze River xiaoxi (story-telling with songs and dances) and xiaopin (Chinese skit) exhibition will hit the stage in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, from Oct 31 to Nov 5 as part of the 2014 China (Zhangjiagang) Yangtze River Culture Festival, which will take place on Nov 1.

Sichuan xiaopin [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The exhibition will present 20 xiaoxi and 16 xiaopin, covering Shanghai opera, Huai opera (a local opera popular in Jiangsu, Anhui and Shanghai), Chu opera (popular in Hubei province), tea-picking opera (popular in southern Jiangxi province, northern Guangdong province and western Fujian province) and flower drum song (originated in Hunan province).

Yunnan xiaoxi [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The exhibition will be held every two years and display achievements in opera creation. It will also preserve and promote the opera art of Zhangjiagang and other cities along the Yangtze River.

Yunnanxiaoxi[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]