The Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong

Cantonese Opera is a traditional Chinese art form that involves music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting.  Cantonese Opera plays tell stories about Chinese history, traditions, culture, and philosophies.

Music

Cantonese Opera music consists of innumerable melodies and tunes.  Unlike European opera where the composer of the music is praised, in Cantonese opera the music is not the most important part - the lyrics are.  In Cantonese opera the writers put words into this pool of melodies and tunes.  One song may contain many melodies, and it is up to the singer to add his or her own personal variation and style to the melody when they sing it.  The singing must be combined with music, of course.  Traditional Chinese instruments such as the er wu (yee wu), butterfly harp, pay-paa, flute, and percussion, to say the least, make up the Cantonese Opera orchestra.  The percussion alone consists of many different drums and cymbals.  The percussion is responsible for the overall rhythm and pace of the music, while the er wu leads the orchestra. Now, Cantonese opera has incorporated many western instruments such as the cello, saxophone, and even the violin which is often used in place of the er wu.

Types of plays

There are two types of Cantonese Opera plays.  One is called "Mun," and the other is called, "Mo." 

    Mo means martial arts.  Characters in Mo plays are usually generals or warriors.  Mo plays are action-packed and intricately choreographed, often using weapons.  The costumes for Mo plays are very complicated (and heavy).

    Mun means intellectual, polite, cultured.  These are the plays whose characters are either scholars, royalty.  Mun plays tend to be dramatic and the movements are soft and slow.  Instead of using weapons, performers show of their abilities in water sleeves work (see terms below).  This type of play focuses more on facial expression, tone of voice, and meaning behind the movements.

While actors are singing and moving around on stage, they also have to act!  Cantonese opera acting is not the same as acting in movies or on TV.  Many emotions have certain facial expressions and body gestures that go along with it.  Performers also have to be careful not to ruin their makeup or hair with histrionic expressions. 

Makeup

Applying makeup for Cantonese opera is a long and specialised process. One of the most common styles is the "white and red face": an application of white foundation, with red around the eyes and on the cheeks. The eyebrows are sometimes elongated. Lipstick is usually bright red.Actors are given temporary facelifts by holding the skin up with a ribbon on the back of the head. This lifts the corners of the eyes, producing an authoritative look.The makeup helps enhance the actor's facial features and many times tells the audience a lot about the characters personality.

Each role has its own style of make-up,for example:

Aggressive and frustrated character roles often have a "ying hong jee" (an arrow shape fading into the forehead) in between the eyebrows.

A sick character has a thin red line pointing upwards in between his or her eyebrows.

Strong male characters wear "hoi1 min4" (開面; "open face") makeup.The actor applies many different colours of oil-base and water-base makeup to create different faces of characters.Each open face character in opera has their own different makeup.  These consist of many symbols, intricate details, and blending.

The clown or to be known as the comical role,usually has a large white spot in the middle of their face.

Costumes

Cantonese Opera costumes are colorful, intricate, and unique.  Each type of character has a variety of costumes to select from, so costuming is very flexible and up to the performer.  A performer chooses his/her costume depending on the choreography of the show or personal preference.

Men's costumes in Mun plays:

• most of them have water sleeves
• costumes tend to be long,like robes

Hoy Ching -  Normally it is worn by scholars, and can also serve as leisure wear.

Pay Fung - Usually worn by old scholars or old officials at home.

Men's costumes in Mo plays:

• more elaborate than Mun plays
• there are more costumes accessories

Jo Mah(can be worn by general or any character in Mo),with Jee Gum Goon (helmet), Pheasant Feathers, and Go Hur(the shoes usually worn by male characters).

Dai Kow - One of the biggest, heaviest, and grandest costumes in Chinese Opera, the dai kow symbolizes armor that a general wears.

Women's costumes in Mun plays:

• almost all of the ladies' costumes have water sleeves in Mun plays
• ladies' costumes tend to be less diverse and interchangeable that men's costumes because a lady's costume and hair will tell a lot about her status

 Siu Gu Jong - a shirt and blouse set that is tied at the waist.  Generally worn by unmarried girls, and simpler versions can be worn by maids.

Pay Fung - usually worn by married women, this is a blouse and skirt outfit that is not tied at the waist.

                                                                                         Girl's shoes

Women's costumes in Mo plays:

•  Like men's costumes, women's mo costumes are far more elaborate than in mun plays
• There are also numerous accessories which can be worn with the costumes

 Dai Kow - One of the biggest, heaviest, and grandest costumes in Chinese Opera, the dai kow symbolizes armor that a general wears,with the Pennants and Fu Pai.  Skirt style utilizes Jok Yeep Kwun.

Jeen Hur - Worn by female warriors.

Female general wearing Dai Kow with pheasant feathers and chestbuckles.

Written by,

Phang Joon Hoe

Group 6,FIA

July intake.