Quyi (Simplified Chinese: 曲艺; Traditional Chinese: 曲藝; pronunciation as: chiǔ yì)
It refers to an ancient performing art spread all over China that covers a large number (it recorded 500+) of different types of performances consisted of singing and narrative storytelling using staged monologues and dialogues. It could refers to such traditional art forms as ballad singing (唱曲), story telling (说书), comic dialogues (小品), clapper talks (快板) and cross talks (相声), with all of which sharing some special features as:
1) generally not a full-fledged theatrical play. The performers therefore have to try their best to stimulate the audiences through their words and songs so as to inspire them to conjure up images.
2) usually performed by a small number of people. The most standard number is 1 or 2, sometimes extending to 4 or more. Each person may play multiple roles for multiple characters in the story.
3) The language used is usually associated with the spoken dialect of the local area.
4) a lot of body movements may be used in the portrayal of the characters in the story, no matter what the performers sitting or standing.
5) often accompanied by clappers, drums, or Chinese traditional stringed instruments (like pipa/danxian), with simple props and no stage scenery.
6) the performer wear various costumes depending on the era of the story plot (unlike the chinese operas). Costumes range from dynastic period 'hanfu' to the more modern female 'qipao'/male 'yet-san suit' or even western suits.
...
This term came into my mind because it's kinda 'everywhere' in China, both among han people and other minority ethnic groups (in fact, has been a major means for the transmission of the history and culture of many ethnic groups), but in my opinion without enough academic focus as, as least, as the traditional operas, which has a shorter history. Its aesthetics are simple and unsophisticated, however, many excellent quyi items reflect the ordinary Chinese people's thought, ideals and moral aspirations. Here are two different types of quyi, the 1st one is Suzhou Pintan from the south China and the 2nd one Shandong Kuaiban from the north. for your reference:
