A History of Chinese Theatre in the 20th Century

The 20th century was a dynamic period for the theatrical arts in China. Booming urban theater, the interaction between commercial practice and theater, dramas staged during the War of Resistance against Japan and an in-depth communication between Western and Eastern theater all contributed to the momentousness of this period. The four volumes of A History of Chinese Theatre in the 20th Century display the developmental trajectories of Chinese theatre over those hundred years.Following a chronological order, the author depicts the colorful yet turbulent developmental path of the Chinese theatre in the 20th century. Representative figures and works in each period are examined against the backdrop of its historical background. The author shows how the development of the Chinese theatre is intertwined with a variety of internal and external factors, such as political interference, a philosophical trend to ignore the traditions, and a profound influence from western theatrical concepts.Scholars and students in the history of the arts, especially the history of Chinese theater, will find this book to be an essential guide.