Sichuan opera is a type of Chinese opera originating in China's Sichuan province around 1700, and it is characterized by unique solos, refined acting, rich percussion, and talented comedians, whose skills are unparalleled in the world.
Sichuan Opera features vivid, humorous narration, singing, and acrobatics. Sichuan Opera performances are always full of wit, humor, lively dialogues, and pronounced local flavors. To portray special characters, the opera incorporates a series of stunts, including the famous "face-changing." In Chinese opera, facial makeup is usually painted, but in Sichuan Opera, the performer can change his or her facial makeup in the snap of a finger right on stage.
There are quite a few Sichuan opera theatre in Chengdu, and the most famous will be Furong Guochui. And in the 90 minutes’ show of Sichuan opera, the main shows will include face-changing, spitting fire, handa shadow play, roll light and Rod puppets.
The face changing, or 'bianlian' in Chinese, is an important intangible cultural heritage in China. Only a few masters have grasped this skill. They know how to change Sichuan opera masks in eye-blink period successively. As they flourish their arms and twist their heads, their painted masks change again and again.
Spit Fire:
Spit fire is a unique skill in Sichuan opera, and the player can spit fire from his mouse unbelievablely.
Hand shadow play:
Hand shadow is probably the most ancient kind of art, and it is also important part of Sichuan Opera, the master will make shadows of animals, peple, and active shows by amazing shadow skill.
Rolling light:
It is a kind of Sichuan opera clown with humorous plays. The funny player will roll the light on his bald head magically.
Rod Puppets：
Sichuan Rod puppets is the oldest puppet shows, modeling simple, rarely seen outside of Sichuan.
