Ancient Theatre Stages in Shengzhou
Shijia'ao Stage is built facing south, with single-eaved saddle-style rooves.
The decoration on the roofs
includes statues of a dragon
kiss, and an earthenware general to guard the building. The carving on the
caisson ceiling, a unique Chinese ceiling in the shape of a well, features the
design of two dragons frolicking with a pearl. Eight bats are engraved around
the caisson ceiling, suggesting good fortune. On the stone pillars of the stage
are the figures from the famous Chinese novel The Romans of Three
Kingdoms .
Theatre stage at Zhanshan Temple
Zhanshan Temple locates at Chongren town of Shengzhou City. 5.1 meters by 4.8
meters, the stage was built facing east, and the audience hall, with
single-eaved saddle-styled roof. Statues of "four heavenly kings" decorate the
roof suggesting wish for good weather to bring harvest. Figures from Chinese
mythologies such as Nezha and Yangjian, as well as character in operas are
embossed on the stone pillars. Eight
immortals from the Chinese legend are engraved around the caisson ceiling.

In the late Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911) and early period of Republic(1912-1949), hundreds of
Yueju operas were performed here as reward for gods and deities. The
performances came to a climax at the temple fairs on September 23rd of the lunar
calendar. Representatives of the Yueju opera in 1920s performed famous plays
here including Leopard
cat replacing the prince, Double pearl and phoenix and Pear
tower.
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