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Mask in Theatre
masakha َم�َس�َخ�be transfomed
Put on a mask and anything is possible. Suddenly you can move, act, and think
differently. The mask embodies the potential for
transformation of all kinds - emotional, spiritual, physical, and symbolic.
Mask
Culture
Theatre
GreekItalian Japan
KoreanChinese Opera
Greek Theatre
Thalia, the muse of comedy &Melpomene, the muse of tragedy
Greek Theatre 5th Century BC
Comedy & Tragedy
Big eyes and mouth
Exaggerated expression
Project broad emotions (happiness, sadness,
anger) to audience from great distance
Change of characters (Performance limited to 3
actors)
Roman TimesStylized – Grotesque -
Fantastic
Commedia-dell-arte
16th – 18th Century
Inspired Venetian Masks for the Carnival – the
Mardi Gras
CharacterizationZanni
Zanni originates from Giovanni, a typical name of servants in Italy.
The role of Zanni is very changeable; silly, simple-minded and vulgar.
Zanni can also be sly, cunning and cheeky.Zanni is always poor and hungry.
Characterization
Pierrot
He is a kind and good character but to the point that he blames himself for the wrongs
he never did.
Too trusting and naïve, he is often cheated, joked on by others.
Noh Classical Japanese
Theatre Performed since the 14th
century
Tradition more than innovation
Influenced more dramatic form of theatre such as the Kabuki
Only SHITE, the main character, wears the mask
Masks are used to represent female or non-human characters (deities, demons, animals)
Characterization Deigan
Expression of a middle-aged woman
Deeply devoted to a loved one
CharacterizationHannya
Horns and sharp fangs are characteristic of a demon.
Demon who is transformed from a woman because of jealousy and anger.
Hannya seeks vengence
Extravagant masks for deities or monsters
Uses body language to express emotions
Medium expression
Subtle
Versatile; can express a number of emotions by tilting the masks / adjusting the lighting
Korean T’al
Masks are grotesque, exaggerated and use dark and bright colors to suit performance at night by wood fires.
Red, black, white colors are favored.
Most of the masks depict human faces but some represent deities and animals.
An interesting feature is that the masks of yangban, the upper class gentlemen, are almost always deformed: a lopsided mouth, a distorted nose or squint eyes. (a reflection of the commoners' hostility toward the privileged class)
Chinese Opera
One of the oldest known dramatic art forms worldwide
Chinese opera masks are significant in a way that they represent the characters’ personalities and intense moods.
Opera masks are also used to represent various human emotions which leads to the “changing face” technique. (frequent on-stage change of facial expression)
CharacterizationGuan Yu
Red indicates devotion, courage bravery, uprightness and loyalty.
A typical "red face" is Guan Yu, general of the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280)He is famous for his faithfulness to his Emperor, Liu Bei.
CharacterizationCao Cao
The white face is common on the stage for the powerful villain.
It highlights all that is bad in human nature: cunning, craftiness, and treachery.
Cao Cao, powerful and cruel prime minister in the time of the Three Kingdoms / Qin Hui, treacherous Song Dynasty prime minister who put the national hero YueFei to death
Masks in Theatre
Traditionally, masks were used for practical reasons:
- for audience to see the expressions of actor/actress to be seen from a great distance
- for a change of characters throughout the performance
Later, masks allow for the creative interpretation of characters
- the colors, lines and shapes become symbolic and meaningful
- stock character (stereotypical fictional characters) can also be represented
Mask
Culture
Theatre
GreekItalian
JapaneseKorean
Chinese
AztecEgyptianIndianAfricanPolynesian
Masks and Culture
The Aztecs (Mexico)
The Egyptians
Click icon to add picture
The Indians
Balinese Mask
African war mask
Polynesian Tiki Mask
Masks and Culture
- Performance and dance (Harvest dance)- Religious rituals (Initiation rites)
- Death mask