The comparison is, striking and highly convincing, and certainly does not diminish one's admiration for; the mask-maker; for the stylization of disease is incredibly brilliant. It is characteristic of the Balinese, as we see in their behavior at cremation and their treatment of graveyard or birth scenes, to turn horror into farce and to laugh at the unpleasant.
There are never as many actors as there are masks in a Topeng play. The number may even be very small; five or six at the most, sometimes only two or three. In what is perhaps the oldest form, Topeng Padjegan, one actor wears all the masks in succession. This is an extraordinary feat, and certain aspects of the performance seem to carry us back to a very remote past, and perhaps point a connection with a very old form of ancestor play

Perhaps the actor in the Topeng Padjegan was the priest who called up the ancestors, like the Dalang in the shadow-play. In this oldest form there is generally no curtain; the basket of masks is placed in front of the gamelan, with offerings beside it. Between each role the actor, usually an old man, kneels down in front of the basket, in full view of the audience, and puts on. The mask covered with a cloth which is only whisked off at the last moment, just before he turns to face the audience. While the cloth is over the mask he is no doubt held to be invisible. The illusion is no less great for this complete defiance of it. The actor, kneeling to put on his mask, has passed out of the play, and is completely back in it again directly he faces us in a new part. Yet the vibration of the previous role is still somehow in the air.

In Javanese music there are two tone systems, slendro and pelog. The are subdivided into instrumental and vocal slendro and pelog.

The same purpose is served by the gambang, a trough xylophone, with wooden keys which are similarly struck with round sticks. This instrument has a peculiarly soft and full tone.

The instruments mentioned form the typical gamelan orchestra. which plays at wayang shows. In larger orchestras other instruments are also to be found which are used for special purposes such as the gong-chimes, bonangs, consisting of double rows of small gongs resting on a horizontal frame, which serve to bring out the melody fully with a clear note.

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