43 皮影戏

>> 43 皮影戏
作为中国出现最早的戏曲形式之一，也是我国民间广为流传的傀儡戏(puppet play)之一，皮影戏(shadow play)是一种用兽皮或纸板制成戏中的人物和道具(props)形象并借灯光照射这些形象而表演故事的戏曲形式。表演时艺人们在白色幕布后面操纵戏曲人物，用当地流行的曲调唱述故事，同时配以打击乐器(percussion instrument)和弦乐，具有浓厚的乡土气息。中国的皮影艺术是我国民间工艺美术与戏曲结合而成的独特艺术形式，是中国传统艺术中不可或缺的一颗精巧的明珠。

>> Shadow Play
As one of the earliest opera forms and a sort of widespread puppet play in China, shadow play is a kind of opera in which the characters and props are made of animal skins or paperboards and the story was performed by illuminating these images with the help of lamplight. While performing, the performers manipulate the characters behind the white curtain and tell the story by singing with the popular local melody to the rhythm of percussion instruments and string music, which is of strong rural flavor. The Chinese shadow play, a unique art form combining the Chinese folk arts and crafts with opera, is an indispensable delicate pearl in Chinese traditional arts.