Face changing- chuanju

Popular in Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, Chuanju (Sichuan opera) is the major form of local opera in southwestern China. A combination of several local opera forms, such as kunqu, gaoqiang, huqin, tanxi and dengxi, it developed around the middle of the Qing Dynasty. Its most characteristic feature is its high-pitched singing style. The repertoire is very rich, totaling over two thousand items. The scripts are of high literary value and are noted for their humor. The acting style is meticulous and very expressive.

Distinctive performing skills are also responsible for Chuanju's popularity and the widespread acclaim it has received at home and abroad. These include the unique singing style in the characteristic melodies of Gaoqiang, delicate acting, and rich and amazing stunts. In Chuanju, the actors are required to perform on the basis of actual lives, characters, and plots. They are expected to abide by established rules but should not be restricted by them. Under this principle, Chuanju has developed its many characteristics with the persistent efforts made by numerous creative artists.

Stunts are another special method used in Chuanju. A consummation of the artists' long-term accumulation of experience on and off the stage, the stunts performed are both a matter of skill and art. Producing surprising yet plausible effects, Chuanju stunts bring audiences an unforgettable experience. The special stunt method is generally used to describe the characters' inner feelings as required by the plot development and theme of the play.

Chuanju is distinguished for its remarkably sensitive acting. On the basis of play scripts that lay a sound groundwork for graceful performances, the actors enrich the personalities of the characters and reveal their inner feelings.

There are many kinds of stunts in Chuanju such as face changing, knife hiding, and robe manipulating, all of which are highly demanding, unpredictable, and breathtaking. Changing face is recognized as a remarkable feat of Chinese artists worldwide. The mysterious stunt has an enduring appeal to audiences. It also helps reveal the inner world of the characters. In Tale of the White Snake, while fighting with Bai Suzhen, a beautiful lady transformed from being a white snake, the God of Purple Gold Cymbal changes the color of his face from white to red, to black, and then to blue before anyone knows it. At the same time, the smile is turned into a fierce and terrifying facial expression. This impressive stunt fully illustrates the god's cruelty and hypocrisy.

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