Send in the clowns
- Source: Global Times
- [22:20 February 25 2010]
- Comments
Clown-role actors performing in Hitting the God of the Temple.
By Xing Daiqi
Peking Opera comedy fans are in for a treat as a gala clown showcase, Li Yuan Chou Jue Nao Yuan Xiao, or Clowns Brighten the Lantern Festival, takes to the Mei Lanfang Theater stage Saturday.
The one-night event is bringing together three generations of comedic Peking Opera performers, promis-ing a lineup of laughter and joy on the eve of the Lantern Festival.
"The staging of an all-clown Peking Opera show is a new experiment for the Mei Lanfang Theater," explained theater manager Yu Sheng. "Clown roles of Peking Opera actually inspire modern comedic shows like crosstalk and er ren zhuan, which enjoy great popularity. I believe Peking Opera, a traditional art form with profound cultural roots, can also accomplish that in modern day society."
Established comedic masters Liu Changsheng, Kou Chunhua and Kong Xinyuan will be joined on stage by top younger generation performers such as Xu Mengke, Wei Jijun and Zheng Yan. The ensemble will present some of the most celebrated repertoires of Peking Opera clown roles including Da Cheng Huang (Hitting the God of the Temple), Shi Qian Tou Ji (Shi Qian Steals Chicken) and Liansheng Dian (The Liansheng Hostel).
Chou, or male clown roles, are usually secondary in a Peking Opera play. Chou means "ugly" in Chinese and chou characters are often amusing and likable, if a bit foolish. They wear special face paint called xiaohualian that distinguishes them from other male characters. The defining feature of this type of face paint is a small patch of white chalk around the nose, indicating a quick wit or secretive nature.
"The clown role is one of the most demanding in Peking Opera because it's a combination of comic acting, acrobatics and a strong voice," explained Si Xin, renowned comedian and artistic director of tomorrow night's show.
"Clown-role actors are very talented as they must be able to play different characters, ranging from a child, general or thief, to an old man. They must have a quick wit and their performances are usually improvisatory, reacting with the audience."
"Comedians are revered in a troupe because the Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, who is considered the founding father of Chinese Opera, once acted a clown role himself," Yu Sheng explained. "There-fore, the comedians are very much respected and indispensable in a Peking Opera show."
"Comic actors are often appointed as the head of a troupe because they are very knowledgeable about all walks of Peking Opera and thus know how to run a troupe better," Si Xin elaborated.
The gala show will open with Hitting the God of the Temple. The story is set in the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) where three civilians find shelter in a temple to escape building the Great Wall. They disguise themselves as statues of the Temple God but fail to deceive the soldiers who are sent to catch them.
"We chose to open the show with this work because it features five clowns and is very amusing and lively," Si said. "We want to give prominence to the joyful atmosphere of the Spring Festival."
