There are five major colors for the makeup in Cantonese opera: red, black, white, blue and yellow. For example, a clown figure (the “cau”) usually has a big white spot in the centre of his face. Each character’s makeup has its own distinct characteristics. According to the usual practice, all artists in Cantonese opera have to put on their make-up on their own. Each type of costume is matched with a particular headgear, footwear and facial make-up.Īs for make-up, artists in very early Cantonese opera were usually very heavily made up with very crude cosmetics.

Costumes are basically classified into python ceremonial robes, armor, gowns with sloping collars, cloaks, official robes, gowns with vertical collars, coats and so on. The costume design is largely determined by sex, role, plot, personality, environment and occasion. Today, embroidered theatrical costume becomes the main stream in Cantonese opera. Sometimes, even tiny electric light bulbs were employed so to catch the gaze of the audience. On the other hand, to attract more audiences, theatrical costumes were made very eye-catching. Later, with increasing exchange between the artists of Cantonese and Beijing operas, costume design became heavily influenced by Beijing opera. In late Qing and early 20th Century, since some Cantonese operas were about social reality, actors and actresses also appeared in western style clothing or contemporary costumes. There was no rigid convention on early Cantonese operatic costumes, which were primarily an imitation of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) costume design. The Costume Design and Make-up of Cantonese Opera

Chinese opera costume