A drama is staged in Nantong during the first Nantong Youxi theater festival. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong, located in East China's Jiangsu province, kick-started its inaugural Nantong Youxi Theater Festival in Chongchuan district on Dec 30. The festival aims to enrich local residents' cultural life and better promote local dramas.

The festival comprises four main components – drama displays, performances of new drama shows, interactive experiences, and a drama-themed bazaar.

Audience members enjoy a drama during the first Nantong Youxi theater festival. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

More than 10 dramas covering children's plays, musicals, and dance dramas, have been performed for local residents from November 2023 to January 2024. The festival has also established an award for original dramas that are solicited from the community, which will be rehearsed and performed publicly.

Nantong is blessed with a rich history in dramas. Li Yu (1611–80), reputed as the Shakespeare of the East, was born in the city while the Tongzhou Opera, Haimen folk songs and other local operas also boast a longstanding tradition in Nantong.

A century ago, Zhang Jian (1853-1926) initiated the city's drama undertaking by establishing the Stage Play School and Gengsu Theater while also cultivating drama artists. In recent years, Nantong has witnessed a flourishing drama scene with numerous plays emerging, including Bing's Words, a moving dance drama depicting dancer Bai Bing's battle against the incurable disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.