Changing 'faces' in the blink of an eye

THE art of face-changing (bian lian in Chinese) is best known for its “blink and you will miss” acts of changing masks or faces in quick succession.

This 300-year-old dramatic art which originated from China’s Sichuan province, forms an important part of the local opera. The performers in brightly coloured masks and costumes, change their masks in the blink of an eye, sometimes with the aid of props like a fan, umbrella or the cape that is part of their costume.