Since early August, the Fourth Yuju Opera Festival has staged more than 30 productions for opera buffs in Beijing. The centuries-old tradition which originated in central China's Henan Province, has spread far and wide. Performers from across the country have been showing why, as young talents were given the spotlight.

"One Happy Family" is a modern-day story following a contemporary theme. The opener for the Yuju Opera Festival features a star-studded cast, with some of the biggest names in the stage tradition. Most of these veterans have won national awards.

In what seems counter-intuitive, all of them are playing supporting roles. The lead is a performer in her mid-twenties. This is meant to ensure the continued success of Yuju Opera.

"For me, the biggest highlight of the festival is how the established veterans are helping their younger colleagues," said Wang Quanzhen, an award-winning opera performer. "The younger performers are very eager to learn and it gladdens veterans like me. That's how the opera tradition had been handed down to us. We've learned a lot from our masters and predecessors. It's a very satisfying experience to help the careers of the young ones."

Young performers offered a number of promising productions. The Youth Troupe of the Henan Yuju Opera Theater is a case in point. Its 65 members averaged 29 in age. The majority have been trained in college, and eight have graduate degrees in dramatic art.

In mid-August, the troupe put on the historical drama "Xuanzang" at the Chang'an Grand Theater. The production takes its name from a Buddhist monk travelling between China and India. The young cast found an opportunity to show their best.

Meng Xiangli, head of the youth Yuju opera troupe said "We have a merit system at my troupe. And it has worked very well. There is nothing to keep a good man down. If you've got what it takes, you will get the role. There's always a role that suits you. You don't have to worry about being sidelined."

Since 2013, the Henan Yuju Opera Theater has worked closely with the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts. Welcomed as fresh blood, graduates of the Academy have displayed both superb stagecraft and passion.

Zhu Xuguang, who played an Indian princess in "Xuanzang", is nicknamed "The Young Veteran". She first stepped on the stage at the tender age of four, and began formal training in Yuju Opera five years later.

Many opportunities have come her way, thanks to her soaring voice and remarkable acting skills.

"I believe it's the instinctive passion that has kept me on the stage for so long. I just love Yuju Opera. Now we are having better conditions and greater support from the government as well as the general public. So I have even more faith in the tradition," said Zhu.

Like most classical performing arts, Yuju Opera has a loyal but shrinking audience. To renew the tradition, performing troupes are concentrating on the younger generation and innovation.

Li Jianshu is the director of the Henan Yuju Opera Theater. "The future of Yuju Opera depends on the young people. First, we must attract the young audience. Second, we have to foster young performers. In Henan province, we are making great efforts to train the young talents in recent years. We've created a number of new productions suited to their advantages. They will be the backbone of Yuju Opera in the next three to five decades. Yuju Opera surely has a bright future," he said.

Twenty-one troupes participated in the month-long festival. They come from all across China. There were companies from the northwestern Xinjiang and the southeast coastal region. In the enthusiastic responses of the audiences, observers see a heightened interest in China's traditional culture.

CGTN Photo