The Clown Humor Festival: Fearless Fools in Traditional Performing Arts Take the Stage

By Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

Often playing the supporting role, the clown holds an indispensable value in theater. The "2012 Traditional Performing Arts Festival," organized by the Preparatory Office of the National Center for Traditional Arts, has set this year’s theme as "Heritage & Humor," kicking off today and running until May 5. The festival will feature top comic performers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including Taiwan’s foremost opera clown Chen Shengzai and mainland China’s top Yu Opera clown Jin Buhan, along with local troupes. They will take turns presenting the most classic, avant-garde, and cross-genre clown performances, allowing audiences across Taiwan to experience the hilarious charm of “no comedy without clowns.”

During this year’s festival, the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and the Paper Windmill Theatre will perform the “‘Wu Song Fights WHO?!’ Family Concert” tonight (7th) at 19:30 at the Taipei National Concert Hall. The National Guoguang Opera Company will stage “Cleopatra and Her Clowns” today (7th) and on May 5th at 14:30, at the Taichung Zhongshan Hall and the Kaohsiung Dadong Art Center, respectively. Additionally, the main venue of the festival, the National Center for Traditional Arts, will host various traditional drama performances every Saturday and Sunday from April 7 to 29 by cross-strait groups including Ming Hua Yuan’s Daily Troupe of Taiwanese Opera, the Taiwan Kun Opera Troupe, the Hebi Yu Opera Troupe of Henan Province, the Xiamen Jinlian Gaojia Opera Troupe, and the Longxing Pavilion Puppet Troupe. Tickets for each performance will be available starting on the Monday of the week the show is held.

“Clowns” are an essential element of comedy in both Eastern and Western traditions. Traditional opera clown roles have always embodied the wisdom to critique social issues. Through the clowns’ witty sarcasm and humorous intelligence, they bring about fulfillment that is otherwise unattainable in the real world. Their outwardly quirky and clumsy appearance further highlights the radiant optimism within. The “Heritage. Humor – 2012 Traditional Performing Arts Festival” runs from now until May 5. For detailed performance information, please visit the National Center for Traditional Arts website: www.ncfta.gov.tw.

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