The Artistic Characteristics, Inheritance And Protection Of Pentameter Play

Pentameter play, with a history of 300 years, is unique and popular in Zibo and Zhangqiu city of Shandong province. Pentameter play was listed on the first batch of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage on May 20th,2006. This article reviews the origins and evolution history of Pentameter play; and then analyses objectively its singing, lyrics, repertoire, performance and accompaniment. Finally, it summarizes the artistic characteristics of Pentameter play. Since the foundation of People's Republic of China, reforms have been made in the vocal music, repertoire, performance, theatre design, lighting and sound of Pentameter play. This brought about certain achievements. However, Pentameter play has been facing many difficulties since 1990s, such as the lack of actors and actresses, playwrights and composers, the loss of the audience groups, the rarity of folk theatres. The author makes reflections on the above-mentioned problems, analyses its successes and shortcomings, digs deeply the value and function of Pentameter play based on the protection and inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage and proposes the measures to protect, inherit and develop Pentameter play. This article will be of great application value to the inheritance and protection of Pentameter play.