Bambbles - U.S.A

The performance consisted of different acts. The first was two guys doing what to me looked like sword tricks with teapots whose spouts were as long as swords. They even came right into the audience and refilled some people's tea cups.

Then this puppeteer came out with a puppet who could grab things. Oh! And then there was the guy who made some awesome shadows with his hands, you know like what you do when you are 5 and camping, but his were awesome. Not just a bunny for him; He could turn his hands into kissing people!

The next part of the show has a name in Chinese that I can't remember (surprise!) but it is basically the wife ordering the husband to do more and more ridiculous things.

Sort of like "Honey do this please" "Ok dear I will balance this flaming bowl of liquid on my head and do a dance." He actually had to crawl under a bench while balancing a bowl that was on fire on his head. He did it on his belly and opposite. It was ridiculous!

This was followed by a guy who threw knives, complete with audience participation. I have this gem on video. They chose Kevin and he was blindfolded. He was under the impression they were throwing knifes to hit balloons around him, but of course there is a trick involved, which I will not reveal. It was a very entertaining part of the show with many "Oos" and "Ohs."

And then the main event! Face changing!! I had heard so much about it but never seen it. These people wear a bunch of masks and pull them off so fast... its crazy! They can be right up in your face and you can be staring so hard, trying your hardest not to blink, and still you can't really tell that they have changed their mask until its already done! It truly is a masterful skill! Such a unique artform. I wonder how they even came up with that. "I know a perfect form of entertainment! We will wear 20 masks and pull them off so fast it will baffle the people!"

It was a good night, and a good cultural experience. It was funny though, because it had the feel of a baseball game because of the peanuts shells crunching under my feet. An American pass time meets a Chinese one in my mind I guess! I am glad I didn't miss seeing this awesome part of Sichuan culture.

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Introduction

Sichuan Opera (Chuan Ju) originated at the end of the Ming (1368-1644) and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). With immigrants flooding into Sichuan, different dramas were brought in to blend with the local dialect, customs, folk music and dances. Gradually, brisk humorous Sichuan Opera, reflecting Sichuan culture, came into being.

 

Face changing, fire spitting, hand shadow show are the highlights of Sichuan Opera. It is said that ancient people painted their faces to drive away wild animals. Sichuan Opera absorbs this ancient skill and perfects it into a performance art.

 

Face Changes

In the 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.

 

The 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.

 

The 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. One Sichuan Opera master also used qi gong movements as he changed face color from red to white, then from white to black. Face changing is a magical art. Actors change more than 10 masks in less than 20 seconds! 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.

 

Itinerary

Rally in our hostel at 7:20pm for the ride to Sichuan Opera Theatre. We are also able to pickup you from your hotel. The show kicks off at 8:00pm, for the next 1.5 hours you'll witness the stunning skills in sichuan opera included are: Spitting fire, Face change, Rolling lights, Hand shadow show, spear kicking, instrumental performance. The show finishes at 09:30pm, you can choose to come back with our driver or walk around the city centre a bit before coming back on your own.

 

Trip Cost

120 CNY / Person

included are: entrance ticket (120 CNY), round-trip transport.