Like other Asian theatrical traditions, almost every element of jingxi, including makeup, is rigidly controlled by convention. Actors playing the roles of men and old women wear simple makeup. All actors playing male roles, except those of young heroes, wear beards. For female roles other than old women, an actor’s face is painted white with the area immediately around the eyes coloured a deep red that shades into pink. Actors playing unbearded male roles wear a white base, but the contrasting colour around the eyes is less pronounced. The makeup for the so-called painted-face roles is the most spectacular. It ...(100 of 15437 words)