D is for Dancing Dragon by Carol Crane

Author:Carol Crane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Published: 2006-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

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Legends and historical events in Chinese history are acted out in either comic or sad performances. A story is told by singers and dancers dressed in beautiful costumes. The painted faces show if the characters are heroes or villains. A red face shows bravery and loyalty, a purple face shows nobility, a black face shows a bold character, and a green face shows a total lack of self restraint. Clowns’ faces are painted white with a black patch, whereas an all-white face shows the villain. Actors may also wear wooden masks to tell a story. Long white sleeves of satin look like ripples in water and are a great part of the actors’ costumes. Swinging the sleeves back and forth represents signs of anger, rippling and shivering the sleeves shows fear, and letting the sleeves fall forward implies there is going to be a disaster.

Children and adults love the puppet show. There are three types of puppetry. The string marionettes are the oldest. These costumed puppets dance across the stage controlled by strings. Shadow puppetry is performed behind a thin sheet of cloth illuminated from behind by a bright light. This creates silhouettes of the puppets. Glove, or bag, puppets are made to perform somersaults, martial arts, and acrobatics.

Painted faces and colorful costumes are all part of the musical show. Marionettes and glove puppets, too—Chinese Opera is our O.

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