Chinese Opera 101
Stage and Performing Techniques
Understand Chinese Opera
At a glance, Chinese opera may seem to
be complicated. But, there are certain
distinguishing aspects in Chinese opera
that can help you understand and
appreciate the performance without the
need of actually knowing the language.
Let’s first look at the stage design
Chinese Opera stage is traditionally
decorated with a simple backdrop.
Chinese Opera typically does not use the
more realistic effects of Western design
and hardly operate any large props on
stage.
Examples:
Here are photos
of more elaborate
backdrops
Stage Design:
Setting a table
with a pair of
chairs in the
middle, the stage
can become a
sitting room, the
emperor’s court,
or with a chair on
top, a mountain to
climb.
This is what the table and
chairs look like in a Chinese
opera setting.
Lacking scenery and almost any large props,
Chinese opera turns instead to the art of
mime, often with hand-held props to aid the
illusion. For example:
• A tasseled whip can become a rider’s horse.
• Several actors swaying together while one handles a
paddle can portray a boat ride.
• A lantern or candle in hand tells of night and
darkness.
• A dance with blue flags means a flood, or with red
ones, a fire.
Examples:
A fairy weaving
magic with her
long sleeves.
A fisherman
holding a stick
simulating
paddling a boat.
Although it may not
seem obvious, but by
having a whip in his
hand, this photo is
showing a male
dignitary riding a
horse.
Use of Props:
Lovers saying farewell in
the rain.
Two warriors
fighting in a battle
field.
Checking the
surrounding in
the dark with a
lantern.
The Actors and their Acting
Techniques
By doing away with three-dimensional stage
props and complicated backdrops found in
Western opera, Chinese opera conveys the idea
of time and space to the audience through the
acting of performers. This simple and flexible
technique is called "imagined time and
space" in Chinese operatic terminology. This
technique is often seen by actresses
walking in a spiral circle on the stage, which
can mean a long journey, or transition of time
and space.
The acting is not mere imitation of movements in
daily life. Instead, it has been perfected to bring
out just their essentials, making them highlystylize and rhythmic dancing movements. Such
acting is described in Chinese stage language as
"stylized formula".
For example, Qiba (setting off for battle), one of
the many “formulas”, got its name when it was
first used in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) opera
“One Thousand Pieces of Gold”. It is usually used
in performances such as fully armed soldiers
setting off for battle in the old days. It
concentrates fundamental actions and dancing
skills in order to demonstrate the prowess of
generals and soldiers.
Make-up and Colorful Costumes


The vividly painted faces of the
characters in Chinese opera may require a
greater participation from the audience's
imagination. Clowns, for example, are
represented by a white nose area painted
in the face.
Each character in a Chinese opera is based
on a standard role type, which is
recognized at a glance by costume,
makeup, and demeanor. This lets the
audience know much about a character
from the moment the actor comes onstage.
General speaking, there are four
roles in Chinese opera:




Sheng -- the male role
Dan -- the female role
Jing -- the painted-face roles
Chou -- the clown role
Sheng -- the male role
According to the age and social status of
the characters, male role types roughly
fall into three sub-groups: the young
man, the older man, and military man
(the male characters who appear in the
battle scenes).
Examples:
Young Man (don’t wear
artificial bears):
Examples:
Older Man (also known
as bearded men,
because the actors wear
artificial beards, and
they are middle-aged or
elderly men)
Examples:
Military Man (the male
characters who appear
in the battle scenes)
Dan -- the female role
Female role types are the vivacious lady,
the refined woman, the older woman,
and the military woman
Reminder:
Sheng -- the male role
Dan -- the female role
Jing -- the painted-face roles
Chou -- the clown role
Examples:
Vivacious Lady (a
young female
character with a
frank and open
personality)
Examples:
Refined Woman
(young or middle-aged
women with gentle and
refined dispositions,
they usually wear a
robe with extended
white flowing sleeves)
Examples:
Older Woman
Examples:
Military Woman (female
characters skilled in the
martial arts)
Jing –
the painted-face roles
Generally refer to male
characters whose strong
and simple personalities
are represented by
mask-like face painting.
This group can include
heroes, villains,
generals,
gods, and demons.
Chou -- the clown role
Chou, with the eyes and nose surrounded
by a white patch, is another special group,
both male and female, who provide humor
through foolishness or wit.
Examples:
According to the
social positions,
characters and
skills demanded,
the Chou roles are
divided into two
categories:
Wenchou (civilian)
Wuchou (martial)
Pointers:
It takes a life-time of dedication to learn the art
of Chinese Opera.
 Usually a person only specializes in one role
type including singing and acting. When a
person performs in a role that is not typical of
his or hers, we said the person is “Fan-Chuan.”
 During the performance, it’s the orchestra
follows the performers which gives performers
more flexibility and rooms for personal styles.
The drummer serves as the head of the
orchestra.

Classical Opera Performances
available on http://www.CulturalExploration.org/
Picking up the
Jade Bracelet
The Huarong
Path – An
excerpt from
San Cha Kou (At the
Crossroad Inn)
The Romance
of the Three
Kingdom