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Asked by Ms.Kawai from sweden | Nov. 10, 2010 11:08
About:Chinese Opera

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you to show my full interest in Beijing/ Cantonese Opera. My name is Ka Wai Cheng and I am currently attending the International Baccalaureate programme in Vaxjo Katedralskolan in Sweden, where I take Theatre Arts as one of my three higher level subjects. I have heard from a friend that you were very successful in helping him out, and therefore, I would very much appreciate if you could attach me some information about the Clown Role in the Beijing Opera? Whether it is information on their costume, or what are the typical features of the clown role etc does not matter. It would be very valuable in my assignment. So please do not hesitate to forward me any useful materials, if it would not be a problem.

I look forward to hearing from you.

yours faithfully,

Ka Wai Cheng

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Answers (1)
Answered by Mr.JAMESWONG from China | Nov. 10, 2010 21:18
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Hi, Ms Kawai, I would like to share something that I know. Clown role is another rodle in Peking Opera with painted face. For the main roles, such as Sheng and Dan, their makeups seems normal. Jing and Chou (Clown) roles are with colorful facial make-up which are exaggerated to show characters. So, the different between the facial make-up between Jing and Chou is that Chou looks funny, characterised by white powder on bridge of nose. Jing roles usually has make-up patterns all over the face and the clowns usually have make-up in eyes, nose and mouth. Clown role refers to someone without beautiful face or facial make-up, but not all the ugly person in moral quality and bahavior. There are viperous clowns and loyal kind persons either. Two types of clown, civilian clown (Wen Chou) and martial clown (Wu Chou with martial skills). Wen chou plays various humoristic and Wu chou are someone of funny, wit, sence of humor in language, good at martial art, especially somersault and jumps. Cown is not main role in the play but of great importance. Various walks of life can be shown by a clown and it is a very active factor to promote the story. A typical make-up for a clown: shave all hairs and heard off to make a clean facial make-up. Yes, many slown actors are bareheaded, in fact many Peking opera actors are bareheaded too. Then foundation make-up (water, fine white powder and glycerol). Three, red round make-up endermic on cheeks. The red glow diameter is about 3-5cm and color is dark in the middle. Four, draw a outline between eyebrow and nose, left and right canthus. Five, draw lines on eyes and eyebrow. Six, no matter the clown wear beard or not, they should have red lips and while oil as the sideline. Hope this help.
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