4 Principal Rules of Chinese Theater

• 4 principal rules of chinese theater :

  Sheng

  Tau

  Ching

  Chau
• Sheng - perogative of the leading actor, usually a male character, a scholar, a statesman, a warrior patriot and the like.
• Tau - plays all the women's roles. Atleast 6 principal characters are played by the female impersonator who has taken over the role after woman were banned from the chinese stage as they were looked down upon as courtsen.
• Ching - roles usually assigned the roles of brave warriors, bandits, crafty and evil ministers, upright judges, loyal statesmen at times god-like and supernatural beings.

  They must have broad faces and forehead suitable for make-up patters suggestive of his behavior.
• Chau - clown/jester but not necessarily a fool and may do serious or evil characters, recognized for white patch around his eyes and nose.