Chou role | |||||||
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Chinese | 丑 | ||||||
Literal meaning | clown | ||||||
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Xiao Hualian | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | 小 花 臉 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 小 花 脸 | ||||||
Literal meaning | little painted face | ||||||
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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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The bangu,often simply gu,is a Chinese frame drum that,when struck by one or two small bamboo sticks,creates a sharp dry sound essential to the aesthetics of Chinese opera. Striking the drum in different places produces different sounds. It is also used in many Chinese chamber music ensembles. The percussion section is very important in Chinese Opera,with battle or 'martial' scenes,which are called wu-chang. The bangu player is the director or conductor of the orchestra. He works with the other members of the percussion section to create the right mood for the audience and actors on stage.
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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.
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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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