Limitation of traditional stages

In traditional Chinese opera of early times, due to the limitation of stages, many scenes could not be presented since realistic scenes could not be shown on stage, particularly the dynamic one, such as the war, storm, flying sand and stones and flood. The performance relied on properties, lighting and stage settings to create similar scenes which were less vivid and it restricted the performance. Traditional stage settings always relied on one table and one chair and it lacked the variety of lighting and stage settings. The audiences should imagine the scenes. For instance, when the actors rowed the oar, it meant they rowed the boat. There were neither boat nor stage settings on the stage. The audiences imagined the boat moving forward and the ocean or lake behind. In addition, flag of the vehicle relied on two flags which refers to moving vehicle that did not exist on the stage. All stage performances and space totally depended on the actors’ performances.

Variety of stage by modern technology Stage innovation and performance of details

The progress of technology and equipment leads to the breakthrough on the stage. It no longer relies on one table and two chairs. There are various properties, stage settings, dynamic ceiling, lighting and dry ice effect. Different from traditional Chinese opera, visual effect of multimedia infinitely extends the space on the stage which becomes vivid. According to Director Su-Qiong Ou, traditional Chinese opera changes with the time. Now they have professional team to produce the plays and with the support of multimedia, it breaks through the limitation of stage and audiences can be involved in the scenes which significantly upgrade the performance. However, based on Director Su-Qiong Ou, although they make progress on the stages, the obstacle is the high cost and complicated construction of each performance. Thus, at present, they focus on the quality instead of quantity of the plays. Although there are some limitations, we will continue being engaged in the promotion of traditional Chinese opera and innovation.

Interviewee Su-Qiong Ou, Director of Taiwan Peking and Kunqu Opera Troupe.

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