Known as the "magic of the East" among Europeans, Chinese shadow
play, a precursor of modern cinema, is experiencing a revival
following a period of marked decline.
Shadow play is a kind of drama in which silhouettes made of hard
paper and hide are projected onto a white screen. The performer
manipulates the characters behind the screen while singing the
libretto to tell the story. The story-telling is accompanied by
music.
Chinese shadow play, which came into being during the Han Dynasty
(206 BC-220 AD) in northwest China's Shanxi Province, spread to
South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and North Africa in the 13th
century. The ancient Chinese art spread to Europe in the 17th
century. The famous German poet Goethe staged European opera in the
form of Chinese shadow play, and modern movies derived, in part,
from the ancient art.
The ancient art gradually fell from the limelight due to the impact
of modern audio-visual media such as television and movies. Many
shadow play groups have been disbanded, and many of the most
talented artists have died. In many areas, certain types of plays
and the art of performance are actually nearing extinction.
Fortunately, shadow play is alive and well in Huanxian County in
northwest China's Gansu Province, where outside cultural influence
is limited due to its remoteness.
Huanxian County now has more than 90 shadow play groups, all of
which are made up of farmers. This county, the birthplace of
Daoqing shadow play, is currently hosting the first Daoqing shadow
play festival.
Originating near the end of the Ming Dynasty (1386-1644 AD) and the
early part of the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911 AD), Daoqing Shadow Play
is softer and more melodious than other types due to its use of Tao
music, characterized as peaceful and holy.
Daoqing shadow play features a single performer who manipulates all
of the characters and conducts the orchestra, as well.
Chinese shadow play has been staged in Europe and the United States
in recent years.
Shi Chenglin, a shadow play artist from Huanxian County, has
presented the art in Italy, a country renowned for its opera. Since
1987, the Chinese Gansu Shadow Play Troupe has staged 24 Daoqing
shadow plays in 13 cities including Rome, Venice, Milan and
Florence. The performances have sparked strong interest among
European audiences.
In
Italy, the audience swarmed to the stage following the performance,
eager to understand the "story behind the screen". Some even
offered US$50,000 to buy the stage set.
"The wonder of the shadow play lies in its application of local
culture rather than well-constructed stage set. If one is
unfamiliar with the customs of northwest China, the value of the
art is abated," said Shi Chenglin.
Qiao Xiaoguang, an expert on folklore, said, at the festival, "The
globalization of the world economy is assimilating all forms of
arts. China must return to its traditional arts to maintain its
special cultural characteristics."
Both Chinese artists and the Government are making great efforts to
conserve and propagate the ancient art form. Shi Chenglin and his
troupe are going on tour in France and Portugal, and the local
government is applying to the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to obtain
certification of this ancient art form as an intangible cultural
heritage.
(Xinhua News
Agency August 21, 2002)