川教英语四上LessonCShadowPlay2.pptVIP

* Shadow Play （皮影戏） Introduction Origin Present Situations Representative Works Shadow Play, also known as shadow puppetry(木偶;傀儡), is one of Chinese historic folk arts. Performed by three to five puppeteers, shadow play is a form of storytelling that uses puppets against an illuminated(照明的) backdrop(幕布) to create the illusion(幻觉) of movement. During a shadow play, puppeteers hide themselves behind a white curtain and move stick-mounted(用棒子装裱的) puppets, while also narrating(叙述) the story through folk song. Performances are generally accompanied by musicians playing drums and stringed instruments. Mixing opera, music, fine art and craftsmanship(手工), shadow puppetry is often considered a predecessor(前辈) of the movie and has thrived in China for centuries. Shadow play originated during the Han Dynasty when one of the concubines(妃嫔) of Emperor Wu of Han died from an illness. He was devastated(荒废) and summoned his court officers to bring his beloved back to life. The officer made a shape of the concubine with donkey leather. The emperor thoroughly enjoyed the performance, after which shadow play became a main feature of the royal court and imperial China. For the development of TV and Movie, there are less and less people watching this old folk art. Like some other folk arts, it gradually become the one that we can only see in the TV. *