Introduction to chaozhou people's plays

Chaozhou Opera is a local opera sung in Chaozhou dialect. Like other local operas all over the country, the main difference is the tune and music. Of course, some of them have small differences in performances and costumes or have their own characteristics. Therefore, Chaozhou Opera is mainly popular in Chaoshan three cities in eastern Guangdong, Shanwei four counties in southern Fujian, Chaozhou-speaking areas in Fengshun county, Hongkong, Taiwan Province, and the influx of people in Southeast Asian countries (mainly Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia). In recent years, with immigrants in the United States, France, Australia and other countries, Chaozhou opera groups have also appeared. In the second International Chaozhou Opera Festival held in Shantou in 1999, Chaozhou opera troupes and bands from 3 countries and regions at home and abroad participated in this grand event.

Chaozhou Opera can be said to be a concentrated expression of Chaozhou culture. While appreciating its art, people can understand its rich and colorful local cultural connotations:

Chaozhou folk literature and elegant and simple dialects. In the process of its formation, Chaozhou Opera not only inherits the poetic language of Southern Opera, but also absorbs local folk literature widely, including song books, folk songs, proverbs, slang, two-part allegorical sayings, folk stories, etc., which are vividly expressed in such plays as Chai Fang Hui, Peach Blossom Transition and Golden Flower Shepherd.

Chaozhou folk music. This is the decisive factor in the formation of Chaozhou Opera. Except that the tunes and plates in the aria are inherited and evolved, the existing accompaniment forms of Chaozhou Opera (including percussion, orchestral music, fixed string, plate, string poem, brand, etc.) are exactly the same as those of Chaozhou Music. The only difference is that Chaozhou Opera has lyrics or performances, while folk music is pure instrumental music.

Chaozhou folk dance. Although the activities in this area are not very popular and prominent in Chaozhou, dances such as "playing English songs" and "dancing carp" have also appeared in some plays, such as "Seven Days Red" and "Grandfather Chen's Choice of Husband".

Chaozhou craft. Especially, Chaozhou embroidery has great characteristics in Chaozhou opera, such as gold thread embroidery of various robes and armour, velvet embroidery of various dresses, etc., which have high artistic value. In addition, wood carving, paper cutting, etc. are also applied to stage design.

Chaozhou folk customs. Ming Jiajing's "Li Jing Ji" has already had the scene of Chaozhou Lantern Festival lanterns; Chaozhou congou tea also appears in some plays (such as Yichun, Continued Li Jing Ji), while Golden Flower Shepherd involves many folk customs and local customs.