Taichung opera shows promoted

Members of a Taiwanese opera troupe perform yesterday during a press conference in Taipei promoting a series of open-air performances to be staged in Taichung from Sept. 19 to Sept. 28. The lead performers of the carnival gave a show at the promotion press conference. Council for Cultural Affairs Chairwoman Tchen Yu-chiou, dressed as an empress, was in attendance. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

The National Center for Traditional Arts will hold the 2003 Outdoor Taiwanese Opera Company Carnival, featuring 10 selected Taiwanese opera troupes that are scheduled to perform for the public in the Taichung Park croquet field daily at 7pm from Sept. 19 to Sept. 28.

Sponsored by the Council for Cultural Affairs, the arts center aims to increase the popularity of the traditional performing arts and create opportunities the opera companies to exchange techniques, views and experiences, said Ko Chi-liang (柯基良), director of the center. She was speaking at a press conference held yesterday to publicize the carnival.

"All the Taiwanese opera companies in the carnival were selected from a rigorous competition undertaken by Ming Hwa Yuan Taiwanese Opera Company and the jury was made up of experts and scholars in the field of Taiwan traditional arts," Ko said.

"The show will be superb," Ko said.

The leading actors and actresses of the 10 finalists performed in full costume at the press conference. Council for Cultural Affairs Chairwoman Tchen Yu-chiou (陳郁秀), dressed in the regalia of a heavenly empress, also showed up to promote the carnival.

Workshop fun in store * Taiwanese opera make-up. * Taiwanese opera karaoke. * Ceremonial arch decoration. * Outdoor bazaar. * Outdoor cafe. * Street parade. * Backstage tour.

"It is the third year of the Outdoor Taiwanese Opera Company Carnival and every year the carnival attracted more near 10,000 people to watch the performance," Tchen said.

"If more people could appreciate our traditional arts, then it would be more lively," she added.

"I hope everybody can watch our performances and support us so that Taiwanese operas will not decline," an actress of Shin Yi Fang Taiwanese opera company said.

"All the Taiwanese opera companies in the carnival were selected from a rigorous competition."

Ko Chi-liang, director of the National Center for Traditional Arts

There will be various other activities for audiences including workshops on Taiwanese opera makeup, Taiwanese opera karaoke, the ceremonial arch decoration, an outdoor bazaar, an outdoor cafe, a street parade and a backstage tour.