Music, Drama, Comedy & Illusion at Sichuan Opera – in Pictures

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This is a photo of a man wearing a red mask.
The precise technique behind the skill is a guarded secret, traditionally transmitted from generation to generation among theater families. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of a man spitting fire in a Sichuan opera show.
Mask changing is often combined with fire spitting. © Jonna Lappalainen
Chinese man wearing a blue mask.
Mask changing – a miraculous, almost instantaneous change of vividly colourful masks dates back to c. 300 years. © Jonna Lappalainen
A women holding a traditional Chinese puppet
A woman with her puppet during the stick-puppet show. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of a man balancing a bowl of fire on his head.
The husband performs various stunts while balancing a candle on his head.© Jonna Lappalainen
A husband and wife performing is Sichuan opera
The Rolling Light is a comic show about an argument between ‘ the husband’ and ‘the wife’. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of a man playing erhu
A man playing the traditional Chinese instrument – erhu. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of a giant man performing in Sichuan opera
The colors, designs and patterns of the costumes represent the characters’ qualities. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of a women holding a stick.
The dramas are based on classical Chinese tales, mythologies and novels. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of five actors dressed in traditional Sichuan opera cloths.
The dramas are based on classical Chinese tales, mythologies and novels. © Jonna Lappalainen
This is a photo of women performing in Sichuan opera
An actress applying make-up before the performance. © Jonna Lappalainen
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