Chinese Theater

Drama 2010-2011
Beginnings of Chinese Theater
Since 100 BCE there has been some records of
theatrical performance during the Shang Dynasty.
These performances would include music, clowning,
and acrobatic displays.
Theater flourished in the Tang Dynasty, also known as
“The Age of 1,000 Entertainments”.
The first evidence of Chinese opera was created by
Ming Huang who began the Pear Garden school whose
theater was based primarily around music.
Shadow Plays
Shadow Play
Shadow puppetry became famous during the Dynasty
of Empress Ling
There are two distinct forms of puppetry:
Cantonese
Pekingese

The differences were the positioning and making of the

puppets
Both styles performed plays depicting great adventures
and fantasy
Shadow Play continued…
Cantonese shadow puppets were the largest of the two
Pekingese puppets were smaller and more delicate.
Puppets are painted with vibrant colors and cast a
colorful shadow.
After shows, the puppet’s head would be taken off so
that it would not come alive.
Shadow puppetry came to its height until it was sued
for political purposes.
Chinese Opera
Chinese Opera
During the Song Dynasty, there were many popular
plays involving acrobatics and music.
In the Yuan Dynasty this developed into a more
sophisticated structure with a four or five act structure.
Yuan drama spread across the country into various
forms with Beijing Opera being the most famous form.
Beijing (Peking) Opera
Beijing Opera continued…
Beijing Opera combines music, vocal performances,
mime, dance, and acrobats.
Developed in the 18th Century and established in the
19th Century.
Very popular in the Qing Dynasty court.
Considered a cultural treasure of China.
The performers are the focus and actors are judged by
their graceful movements.
Actors must adhere to specialized movements and
conventions.
Beijing Opera Continued…
There are over 1,400 works based on Chinese history,
folklore, and now contemporary life.
Beijing Opera was an exclusively male pursuit.
During the 1870’s women began to appear unofficially.
In 1911 females were officially allowed to perform,
but for many years the all make company would be
preferred.
During the Communist take over, the Chinese
Communist Party sought to bring art into line with
Communist ideology.
Beijing Opera continued…
Any performances without Communist themes were
“subversive” and banned.
Jiang Qing, Mao’s wife, chose eight model plays that
could still be performed which included 5 Beijing
Operas.
These plays would be altered with their endings
changed.
As the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) raged on,
Beijing Opera would be banned and theaters shut
down and destroyed.
Beijing Opera continued…
The Republic of China in Taiwan took Beijing Opera
as “political symbolism” in which the Kuomintang
wanted Beijing Opera to take over other indigenous
arts.
The R.O.C. wanted to be the sole representative of
Chinese culture.
This occurred at the expense of Taiwanese opera, but
currently, the interest in Taiwanese opera continues to
grow.
Training in Beijing Opera
Requires a long and arduous apprenticeship from an
early age (usually a 7 year apprenticeship)
The students would acquire debt to his master and
repay him through performances.
Students would rise at 5:00 in the morning for exercise
IN the daytime for acting and combat
At night they performed in outdoor theaters.
If mistakes were made each member of the company
would be beaten.
The Roles in Beijing Opera
Sheng
The Roles in Beijing Opera
Dan
The Roles in Beijing Opera
Jing
The Roles in Beijing Opera
Chou