Quyi

Quyi (曲艺) is a broad umbrella term for traditional Chinese performance arts based on spoken or sung narration rather than fully staged opera. Rooted in itinerant street and teahouse entertainments, quyi emphasizes language, vocal expression, timing, and audience interaction, often with minimal props and musical accompaniment. It encompasses a range of regional and stylistic forms, and has historically been an important vehicle for storytelling, humor, and social commentary across northern and eastern China.

Major forms include shuochang (storytelling with speaking or singing, often with character voices and improvisation); pingshu (a solo storyteller with a fixed repertoire and distinctive cadence, commonly performed in Beijing and surrounding areas, sometimes with a musician); kuaishu (rapid-fire storytelling known for speed and wit); xiangsheng (crosstalk), a two-person comedic dialogue that relies on wordplay and timing; and pingtan (Suzhou-style storytelling with songs, usually performed by two performers with traditional stringed instruments). Other regional varieties exist across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and beyond.

Quyi performances are traditionally delivered in intimate venues such as teahouses, courtyards, and street stages, though they now also appear in theaters, television, and online platforms. Performers use voice, facial expressions, and gesture to distinguish characters, with repertoire ranging from classical legends and historical anecdotes to contemporary satire. The form remains a living part of Chinese oral culture, continually adapting to new audiences while preserving a shared heritage of narrative skill and humor.

Because of its emphasis on language and performance technique, quyi has been instrumental in sustaining regional dialects and storytelling traditions. It is studied and preserved by cultural organizations, and continues to be taught and performed as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage of performing arts.