Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin
Often playing the role of the supporting green leaf, clowns hold an indispensable value in theater. The “2012 Traditional Performing Arts Festival,” organized by the Preparatory Office of the National Center for Traditional Arts in Taiwan, has set this year’s theme as “Heritage Arts…Playing the Fool.” The festival kicks off today and runs until May 5, bringing together renowned cross-strait theater clowns including Taiwan’s top opera clown Chen Shengzai and Mainland China’s top Yu Opera clown Jin Buhuan, along with various local performance troupes. They will take turns presenting the most classic, avant-garde, and cross-genre clown works, allowing audiences across Taiwan to experience the hilarious charm of “no comedy without clowns.”
This year’s Traditional Performing Arts Festival is themed “Heritage Arts…Playing the Fool,” showcasing both traditional performing arts and educational elements, featuring Taiwan’s popular opera clown... (Image provided by... and Taiwan’s traditional performing arts troupe)
During this year’s festival, the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and the Paper Windmill Theatre will perform the “‘Wu Song Fights WHO?!’ Family Concert” at 19:30 tonight (7th) at the National Concert Hall in Taipei. The National Theater Company will stage “Cleopatra and Her Clowns” at 14:30 today (7th) and on May 5th at the Zhongshan Hall in Taichung and the Kaohsiung Da-Dong Cultural and Arts 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, featuring troupes from both sides of the strait such as Ming Hua Yuan’s daily troupe of Taiwanese opera, the Taiwan Kun Opera Troupe, Henan Province Hebi City Yu Opera Troupe, Xiamen Jinlian Gaojia Opera Troupe, and Longxing Pavilion Puppet Troupe. Tickets for each performance will be available starting on the Monday of the week the show is scheduled.
The “clown” is an essential element in both Eastern and Western comedy. Traditional opera clown roles have always carried wisdom that dares to critique social issues. Through the clowns’ witty irony and humorous intelligence, they fulfill what reality cannot achieve. Their outward clumsiness and eccentricity further highlight the brilliance of their optimistic spirit. The “Heritage Arts. Playing the Fool – 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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