The Declining Opera
Sichuan opera is a local traditional opera popular in southwest China, with a history of nearly 100 years. It was once prosperous in the 1960s to 1980s, but it has gradually declined today. Young people no longer like to watch it, and the livelihoods of Sichuan opera actors are also facing a crisis. These photos were taken backstage at the Sanhua Sichuan Opera Troupe. Most of the actors here are around 50 years old. They perform every afternoon, all year round. Sometimes there are very few audiences, but they still insist on performing. The audience is almost all elderly people. For only 30 yuan, they can listen to the opera while drinking tea for an afternoon. The actors are paid very little every day, but they insist on performing because they love Sichuan opera. They hope that one day, more young people can fall in love with Sichuan opera again.
