Taiwan Today

Shadow plays have been popular in China for more than 2,000 years and on Taiwan are surviving the competition of movies, radio, and TV. Shadows are cast on a screen by puppet-like figures cut out of leather. Manipu­lators voice the various parts, as in a puppet or marionette show. Most stories are historical. In two millennia, the principal change has been substitution of the incandescent bulb for candles as the source of light. Figures (left) are from popular Luanchow shadow plays of northern China.

 

 

Chinese shadow drama spread throughout Southeast Asia around the 15th century. Regional differences have arisen in appearance of the figures, although the story lines are much the same everywhere. Silhouettes from Bali (top and center) include animal-like representation of human figure and are less sophisticated than Chinese equivalents. Winged and armored warrior and the gorgeously gowned lady (bottom) are from the Fukien-style drama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is striking similarity between cartoon movies and shadow plays, as can be seen in these scenes. Top, heavenly deities prepare to do battle. Bottom, a monk sets forth on legendary trip to far-away places of long ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow figures can be shown only in profile, as illustrated by the lady with fan (top). Tales include the legendary history that is popular in all forms of Chinese drama. An example is provided (bottom) in the famous battle between the Iron-Fan Princess and the Monkey King. Nature of the shadow play permits the realistic depiction of large-scale battle scenes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Taiwan, one of the most popular plays tells of the Dutch surrender to Koxinga (center). The Tung Hua troupe presenting this drama actually came to Taiwan just after Koxinga's victory and is still popular in rural areas. Comedy also plays a big part in the repertoire, as indicated in the lively gossiping ladies (top) and the wife putting her husband in his place (bottom). Shadow plays rely on excellence of cut-outs for large part of their realism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tung Hua company's stage is seen (bottom) and part of its cast of characters (top). On a warm and mist-shrouded spring evening, the shadows of Tung Hua may be more real than life itself. In olden times, the leather figures were often purchased as souvenirs after the show. Now hard to find, they have become items for collectors.