RI Topic!

Because of my interest in history I want to do my RI in a theatrical style that is historically rooted. My first idea was to do something with Norwegian folk plays that used pastoral settings and corps du ballet, however due to my background knowledge in ballet I decided to take a more unfamiliar route. I’ve decided to take my RI to a land completely foreign to me: China.

1. Theatrical Practice: Sichuan Opera (China)

Conventions:

·         Sichuan Opera (Chuan Ju) originated at the end of the Ming (1368-1644) and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

·         Based on folktales and legends

·         Humorous and witty dialogue

·         Face changing is the highlight of Sichuan Opera. (ancient people painted their faces to drive away wild animals)

·         Musical instruments Erhu, the gong, and the lute, actors sing in high-pitched voices, use of drums

·         Facial make-up with exaggerated designs are painted on each performer's face to symbolize a character's personality, role, and fate.. Generally, a red face represents loyalty and bravery; a black face, valor; yellow and white faces, duplicity; and golden and silver faces, mystery.

·         Acrobatics, fire breathing

·         Bright sets and costumes

2. Play: “Scholar from Bashan County”,(Bashan xiucai) by Wei Minglun and Nan Guo
3. Theatrical Element
-Face changing make-up

·         “Wiping Mask routine the actor applies cosmetic paint in a certain position on his face. If the whole face is to be changed, the cosmetic paint is applied to the forehead or eyebrows; for changes on the lower half of the face, paint is applied to his cheeks or nose; or to other specific parts”.

·         Blowing Mask routine works with powder cosmetics, such as gold, silver, and ink powders. Sometimes a tiny box is placed on the stage; the actor draws near and blows at the box. The powder will puff up and stick to the face. Sometimes the powder is put in a cup. The secret to success in this act is to close the eyes and mouth and to hold the breath”.

·         “Pulling Mask routine is the most complicated. Masks are painted on pieces of damask, well cut, hung with a silk thread, and the lightly pasted to the face one by one. The silk thread is fastened in an inconspicuous part of the costume. With a flick of his cloak the performer magically whisks away the masks one by one as the drama develops”.

·         “By raising the hand, swinging a sleeve or tossing the head, an actor uses different masks to show different emotions, expressing invisible and intangible feelings through visible and tangible masks. From green to blue, red, yellow, brown, black, dark and gold, these masks show fear, tension, relaxation, slyness, desperation, outrage, and so on”