Includes bibliographical references (pages 255-271) and index.
Contents:
Conclusion / Li Ruru. 11. Revitalizing the Theatre: New Approaches to Classical Plays: Introduction / Li Ruru; 1. After 70 Years, a Production That Redefines a Huaju Classic: Wang Yansong's New Interpretation of The Savage Land / Siyuan Liu; 2. Lin Zhaohua's Innovation of Huaju Acting in The Master Builder / Lin Wei-yu -- Part II. "Main Melody": A New Image of Propaganda Theatre: Introduction / Li Ruru; 3. Shang Yang and the Performance of Historical Drama in Reform-Era China / Rosemary Roberts; 4. Breaking Out of the "Main Melody": Meng Bing and His "Monumental Theatre" / Xiaomei Chen; 5. Romancing Home: Sweet & Sour Hong Kong / Gilbert C.F. Fong and Shelby Kar-yan Chan -- Part III. Contemporary Consumerism: A New Relationship between Theatre, Market, and Society: Introduction / Li Ruru; 6. Performing Poetry on the Intermedial Stage: Flowers in the Mirror, Moon on the Water, and Beijing Avant-Garde Theatre in the New Millennium / Rossella Ferrari; 7. Survival Through Laughter: A Fun Gongfu: The Story of the Deer and the Cauldron / Ma Haili; 8. Staging a New Venture: Tian Qinxin's The Yellow Storm and the Policy Change on the Huaju Industry in China / Katherine Hui-ling Chou -- Part IV. Independent Theatre: Alternative Space: Introduction / Li Ruru; 9. Taiwan's Little Theatre Grows Up: Reviving Peking Opera: The Revelation into a Classic / John B. Weinstein; 10. Constructing the Alternative: Grass Stage and The Little Society / Pu Bo and Yang Zi; 11. For the People, by the People: Penghao Theatre and The Story Of Gong and Drum Lane / Tarryn Li-Min Chun -- Conclusion / Li Ruru.
Summary:
"Accounts of theatre practitioners and their artistic and ideological decisions within a complex, fast-changing socio-economic, cultural and political environment illustrate how mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are reflected by and even constructed through theatre. The eleven chapters of the book, divided into four parts, explore a wide range of topics: how classical works are approached since the millennium; what the new propaganda theatre looks like; how theatre practitioners respond to the great challenges facing the arts sector in a fast-changing society; and how independent theatres contribute to the cultural landscape. The vivid narrative of today's theatre brings out the "ghosts"--Various controversial subjects-of more than a century demonstrating how "spoken drama" has grown from an imported Western genre into a modern theatre deeply rooted in the Chinese soil"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.