Face-changing first appeared in Sichuan Opera during the reign of the Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795).

The changing of types of lianpu (Chinese opera facial make-up) and colours reflect a character's mood - red representing anger and black extreme fury - just as in fairy tales.

Face-changing was first used in a story about a hero who stole from the rich to help the poor. When he was caught by feudal officials, he changed his face to puzzle them and escaped as a result.

In the very beginning, this art was far simpler than it is today.

Performers put oil on their faces and applied colourful powder from a container placed in a hidden corner on the stage.

When they blew onto the powder, it would be absorbed onto the face.

But in spite of these professional performances, no one knew how the artists were able to blow the powder in order to make the facial makeup so accurate in no more than a few seconds.

Another method involved hiding the coloured powder on the performer's palms. They would then mop it up onto their faces with oil.

These two techniques are seldom used these days, but Wang refused to reveal the method that has replaced them.

In ancient times, performers could change between only a few faces.

In 1994, performers could change between four faces in a show. By 1998, the number of faces had risen to eight. Today the number has increased still further, to 18, even including faces on the back of the head.

From costumes to make-up, the performers have to make everything themselves. They usually have their own compartment backstage.

"My master Zhou takes his own sewing machine wherever he goes, even abroad," Wang said.

As tradition goes, the art can only be passed down to boys.

Wang's master has two daughters but he was not willing to teach them.

"My master told it is only when I think I have become a master of this art in turn that I am entitled to take an apprentice. Passing it on for money is not acceptable," Wang said.

(Source: Shanghai Star)