RED BOAT TROUPES AND CANTONESE ... - University of Georgia

accommodate the many extra boxes of costumes. Therefore a picture boat was added to a large
troupe to carry the costumes. These costumes were, and still are, very ornate, and are made of
silk and satin. They are further embellished with embroidery and cloth trims, with a darker
matching shade than the material to enhance the color of the costume. Recent years have seen
lighter material with beautiful matching color shades such as the sheng and dan in different but
matching shades of purple.
Women wear a small hair-piece that is used as bangs. The hair is adorned with shiny
jewelry, flowers, and other hairpieces. A do ma dan (a female who does action plays) wears a
few long pieces of peacock feathers; a maid, or a young girl has her hair tied in bun; and a
mature woman usually has the hair covered or tied up and the hair is adorned by jewelry. A
black strip of fabric as sideburn is glued to each side of a woman’s face. By placing it just right,
this strip helps to make the face of the performer look narrower than it is, and can be adjusted to
make the face look pretty. When plastic shiny beads were imported in the past, these materials
were sewn onto the costumes. A male scholar or a government official usually wears a hat with
two flaps on the sides, a general wears a helmet with pheasant feathers. A warrior who has lost a
battle would also have lost his helmet—so he has only his braid. When frustrated, the warrior
swings his braid in circular movements. Beards of men may be in different colors and shapes
depending on the role.
The make-up process of an opera character is rather complicated. White color foundation
is applied first, then red rouge in different shades is applied over the white foundation to the
cheeks and eyelids. To make a performer’s eyes look more engaged, the eyebrows are drawn at
an upward angle from the nose. Eye-liner is also used to give the eyes an upward slant. After
the make-up is done, an actor or actress uses a long black piece of fabric to pull the outer corner
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