Bian Lian 變臉 (or Face Changing) is a 300 year old stage art that is part magic trick performance within the genre of Chinese (specifically Sichuan) opera. Actors wear a series of colorful silk masks, which are then quickly changed whilst they're on stage in the midst of their performance. The mask changes occur with lightning speed. This is really worth watching: Spoiler: A notation from Wiki about Bian Lian, the art of face changing... [video=youtube;EbQ8VADOlCM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbQ8VADOlCM"[/video] The face changing is supposed to communicate the mood of the actor during various part of the opera. It is reportedly a well guarded trade secret supposedly only known by those within a small circle of performers. See also: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8415217.stm