1930s China through American eyes

The bride and bridegroom of the Chinese stage, Canton, China

Here are represented the characters of a bride and bridegroom. With painted faces, dressed in stiff brocade, jewel bedecked, and elaborately embroidered skills and satins, they make a magnificent appearance. Gold and silver tissue, tufted plumes and long, waving pheasant feathers make up the headdresses. In the range of characters every type is represented though women characters seem to have been standardized into six distinct types. As women's activities with references to the theater have been much restricted in the past, there parts are still played by male actors.

The Chinese drama arose from the union of the acts of dance and song, and was staged as early as the 18th century. From that time until about AD 720, it continued to develop reaching the stage known as the classical period. This period extended from AD 720 to AD 1119. No drama ever written is more elevated in purpose and in tone than the Chinese. In choice of theme the Chinese are absolutely unrestricted and the plays are not confined by either time or place.

[Photo provided to China Daily/Keystone View Company]