Taiwanese Opera

This is the most representative traditional performance in Taiwan. It originated in the early 20 century, mixed ancient poetry and classical Taiwanese. In the early periods, it was performed for worshipping. The majority contents of performance are about the stories of loyalty, filial, piety and integrity. It was not only a famous leisure time activity in early agriculture community but also a representation of Taiwanese culture. Nowadays, the performance style of Taiwanese opera became more abundant and diversity.

Taiwanese opera not only includes literature, singing, instrument perform and dancing, but also includes art likes make-up and stage setting ,and handicraft like stage properties, costume.

Performance type-

1. Outdoor: This type is performed near streets or in front of temples, and they are free. There has a rule that before start performing, one person has to spread some candies and cookies to the audiences then start the performance. This called “Ban Xian”. And the outdoor Taiwanese opera has a feature that the endings are always good, no sad story.

2. Indoor: This type of performance is engaged in making profit, audiences should pay the tickets. The difference between the outdoor Taiwanese opera is that indoor performance has more tricks like the stage setting has some stunts and effects. And the stories are cliffhanger to engage the audiences.

This is a video of an Taiwanese opera