| Chou role | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A Chou role portrayed by a Kunqu actor. | |||||||
| Chinese | 丑 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | clown | ||||||
| |||||||
| Xiao Hualian | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 小 花 臉 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 小 花 脸 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | little painted face | ||||||
| |||||||
The Chou is the clown role in Chinese opera. The Chou usually plays secondary roles in a troupe. [1]
Most studies of Peking opera classify the Chou as a minor role. Chou roles can be divided into Wen Chou (文丑),civilian roles such as merchants and jailers,and Wu Chou (武丑),minor military roles. The Wu Chou is one of the most demanding in Peking opera,because of its combination of comic acting,acrobatics,and a strong voice. Chou characters are generally amusing and likable,if a bit foolish. Their costumes range from simple for characters of lower status to elaborate,perhaps overly so,for high status characters. Chou characters wear special face paint,called xiaohualian,that differs from that of Jing characters. The defining characteristic of this type of face paint is a small patch of white chalk around the nose. This can represent either a mean and secretive nature or a quick wit. Originally,there were five roles in Beijing opera,but the last role "Mo" became a part of "Chou". [2]
Beneath the whimsical persona of the Chou,a serious connection to the form of Peking opera exists. The Chou is the character most connected to the guban,the drums and clapper commonly used for musical accompaniment during performances. The Chou actor often uses the guban in solo performance,especially when performing Shu Ban,light-hearted verses spoken for comedic effect. The clown is also connected to the small gong and cymbals,percussion instruments that symbolize the lower classes and the raucous atmosphere inspired by the role. Although Chou characters do not sing frequently,their arias feature large amounts of improvisation. This is considered a license of the role,and the orchestra will accompany the Chou actor even as he bursts into an unscripted folk song. However,due to the standardization of Peking opera and political pressure from government authorities,Chou improvisation has lessened in recent years.
The Chou has a vocal timbre that is distinct from other characters,as the character will often speak in the common Beijing dialect,as opposed to the more formal dialects of other characters. [3]
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Theatre of China has a long and complex history. Traditional Chinese theatre,generally in the form of Chinese opera,is musical in nature. Chinese theatre can trace its origin back a few millennia to ancient China,but the Chinese opera started to develop in the 12th century. Western forms like the spoken drama,western-style opera,and ballet did not arrive in China until the 20th century.
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Wei Hai-min is a Taiwanese Peking opera singer-actress who plays Dan roles. A winner of Taiwan's National Award for Arts and China's Plum Blossom Prize,Wei is widely recognized a Peking opera superstar. She is the first student of Mei Baojiu,who is one of the most well-known Peking opera masters in the world.
Liu Baoshan,better known by his stage name Liu Gansan,was a Qing dynasty Peking opera artist based in Beijing,who specialized in Chou roles,or clowns. He was well known for playing ugly women and making ad-lib comments in his roles to poke fun at the powerful. He was from Tianjin.
Cheng Changgeng was a Qing dynasty Hui opera and Peking opera artist based in Beijing,who specialized in laosheng roles,or old gentlemen. Sometimes called the "Father of Peking Opera",he was the leader of the Three Celebrations Company (三慶班) as well as the leader of the actor's guild in Beijing. He was from Qianshan,Anhui.
Xu Xiaoxiang,born Xu Xin,courtesy name Xinyi and art name Diexian,was a Qing dynasty kunqu and Peking opera artist based in Beijing. He specialized in portraying xiaosheng roles,or younger gentlemen. His best known roles included Zhou Yu in Meeting of Heroes (群英會),Xu Xian in Legend of the White Snake,and Liu Mengmei in The Peony Pavilion.
Mei Qiaoling,born Mei Fang,courtesy name Xiaobo and art name Huixian,was a Qing dynasty Peking opera and kunqu artist based in Beijing. He specialized in playing dan roles,or women. Originally from Taizhou,Jiangsu,he was sold to a childless man in Suzhou at age 8. After that man remarried and begot a son,Mei was sold again,this time to a theatrical troupe where he had to train to become a performer. He rose to stardom despite his pudginess,which earned him the nickname "Fat Qiaoling" (胖巧玲). At age 30,he became the leader of the Four Happiness Troupe (四喜班),one of the most famous troupes in Beijing,and rarely performed after that.
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