Xinhua is the official news agency of the People's Republic of China

August 13, 1997 (Xinhua) -- A 64-YEAR-OLD Tibetan comedian has no doubt he can crack up a European audience with his one-of-a-kind hat tricks, even though they might not understand anything he says.

Thupten is among a 30-member Tibetan ensemble which is performing in five European countries Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece and Norway from July 27 to August 29.

The largest Tibetan touring group is made up of the region's most well-known singers, dancers and folk artists. A similar group was organized in 1995 for another European trip.

Thupten is best known for his one-man-show, "An Ode to Hats," which tells the life of legendary Tibetan King Gesar. Thupten has played the king on stage for 52 years.

In the piece, Gesar uses feathers, arrows, spears and silk to form hats which become clever weapons. After sneaking into the enemy palace in disguise, Gesar wins over the soldiers with a dazzling performance, and then decapitates his enemy with a hat.

The colourful but deadly headgear is Thupten's most important prop. "I made it with 16 kinds of bird feathers, and I can change its form easily," he said.

At 12, the now-swarthy Thupten was a lama in a Lhasa lamasery. There, he became obsessed with the good deeds of King Gesar. After giving up his life in the lamasery, Thupten became a folk singer and told the story of his hero through his art.

"The comic dialogue performance was never accepted by the noble society in slave-owning Tibet," he said. "Now we can join the specialized artist group and perform in theatres."

He attended an international arts festival in London in 1987. After the British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) introduced his comic talent, British audiences wanted more.

Ten Ziu, a leader of the Tibetan Autonomous Region and also the director of the ensemble, said this performance tour is designed to give Europeans a better understanding of Tibet.

"We will show new aspects of Tibetan people and let the outside world know us correctly," he said.