The staging of a Xiangjiaban shadow play in the town of Xiaofeng in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Feb 9, attracted more than 100 villagers.

Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is an ancient form of entertainment and craftsmanship that uses flat articulated puppets to create the impression of moving people and other three-dimensional objects. It is regarded as China's "earliest filmmaking form".

Passed down from generation to generation for around 200 years and an intangible cultural heritage of Zhejiang, Xiangjiaban shadow play still maintains its vitality.

A vividly staged scene from a Xiangjiaban shadow play. [Photo /zj.zjol.com.cn]

Xiang Yushan, a fifth-generation inheritor of Xiangjiaban, says the craft was handed down from his father, and that, at age 12, he began his own individual shadow play work.

Xiang Yushan displays one of his shadow puppets. [Photo /zj.zjol.com.cn]

Xiang's daughter Xiang Cuiping, the latest inheritor of this traditional craft, also aims to be innovative. Xiang Cuiping said,"With more modern elements being brought into traditional shadow plays, we can start to choose more interesting plots and appeal to a younger audience. Delicately articulated shadow puppets with movable mouths and eyes help to increase realism."

The Xiangjiaban troupe was invited to perform to rural audiences in Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces on more than 30 occasions in 2017. The troupe will give more performances in Anji during this year's Spring Festival.