In the Chinese operas , particularly in Kunqu , there are a number of “single-role” acts where a single actor acts and sings for scores of minutes . The audience would watch with pleasure . Such acts are primarily segments of complete operas , such segments have attracted the audiences persistently . Some have done so for almost three hundred year . The secrets of their charm are the display of the spirit . For instance , in the act of “Rush to Mount Liang at Night” the unfortunate hero Lin Chong is torture in his heart by hesitation and worries . He sings sentimental arias and acts spiritedly so that audience is deeply moved . (Paraphrase of the words of the arias : “I am obsessed with blood and teardrops on my way ; having been preoccupied with joining the outlaws at the water margin , I can not but look back again at the imperial court ;” “Greeting the twilight and passing the passes , I stride in wilderness 
alone” )
Another instance is the act of “Longing for the World” . In this act , a female actor plays the role of teenage nun , who keeps lonely everyday , burning incense and looking at the statues of Buddha by dim lamp light . She complains to the Buddha and sings sorrowful arias . With the expression of her eyes ; she makes the audience feel the presence of all the statues of Buddha and sympathize with her , instead of feeling monotonous and tired . (Paraphrase of the words of the arias : “This one sits cross-legged . This one sits with hands supporting the cheeks . This one sits with semi-opened eyes . All pour ridicule on me . And the Buddha wearing a sack laughs at me telling me that I have missed my prime ; now who will marry me , a granny !” ) The Kunqu actors used to make the remark that actors of the male role are afraid to play the act of “Rush to Mount Lian at Night” , and actors of the female role are afraid to play the act of “Longing for the World” . Surely , the two acts both demand the actors to display the spirit and demand them to forget themselves but to enliven the roles .
