He Zehua, a ninth-generation shadow-puppet performer, leads the five-member Wannan Shadow Play and Opera Art Troupe from Anhui province to give performances at the recent Wuzhen Theater Festival. [PHOTO BY CHAI CHUNXIA/FOR CHINA DAILY]

The performers, who range from ages 52 to 80, played such musical instruments as cymbals, gongs and drums, and operated over 100 handmade puppets outside the White Lotus Pagoda, built between 1102 and 1106.

The group sang and told stories in their hometown's style and dialect. Their repertories have been passed down for generations and include tales from the iconic novel Journey to the West by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) writer Wu Cheng'en and Generals of the Yang Family from the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

"It's our first time to perform at the Wuzhen Theater Festival. I guess we're the most elderly troupe," says the group's 52-year-old leader, He Zehua, who's a ninth-generation shadow-puppet performer.

Shadow puppetry began in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), and peaked in the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. Various styles developed throughout the country over the centuries.

"You can hear folk songs and Anhui's local Huaguxi Opera at our performances," He says.

He recalls watching his grandfather make puppets and perform for Xuancheng's residents.