Chinese Theories of Theater and Performance from Confucius to the Present

by Faye C. Fei (Editor)

Through the writings of noted Chinese philosophers, scholars, artists, and critics from the time of Confucius to the present, this rich compendium provides a fascinating guided tour of China's evolving conceptions of theater and performance. The book's more than sixty selections are arranged chronologically to provide a historical overview of four major antiquity to the Song dynasty (fourth century B.C.E.-1279 C.E.); the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) and Ming dynasty (1368-1644); the Qing dynasty (1644-1911); and the rest of the twentieth century.
The writings collected here treat the origins, aesthetic principles, and functions of theater. Some are virtual manuals on playwriting and performance techniques; some describe the practices, conditions, and government policies concerning theatrical performance. Many of the selections forcefully dispute the myth that Chinese theater is valuable in performance but lacking in literature--the fact is that there is an equal, if not more prominent, emphasis on theme and content. What emerges from the writings in Chinese Theories of Theater and Performance from Confucius to the Present is a highly evolved and sophisticated aesthetic.
The texts are enhanced by Faye C. Fei's extensive introductions and annotative notes that provide essential background and contextual information. She has provided accurate and engagingly written translations of the texts, making the majority of them available in English for the first time. The anthology will appeal to teachers and students of theater and performance, artists interested in Chinese theater and arts, and scholars and historians of Asia. Literary critics, aestheticians, philosophers, and social scientists will also find the volume of interest, since Chinese conceptions of the theater and performance are closely connected to China's general outlook on the humanities.
Faye C. Fei is Assistant Professor of Dramatic Arts, Macalester College.

Genres: Theatre

232 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1999

Reviews

[Kt]

For students of Asian Theatre and/or Chinese culture, language, or history, this book is a great source of information. Ms. Fei's choice of materials, as well as her translation, provide invaluable information about the given subject, providing an excellent jumping-off point for doing further research. In addition, Richard Schechner also provides a very insightful analysis of the book's subject in his Forward.

My only complaint about the book is that the original Chinese is not provided. While Fei does include a Chinese glossary at the back of the book that offers the Chinese names of most of the authors and works cited, it is not sufficient for those of us who are trying to find the original Chinese texts. Most significant is the lack of Chinese translation of titles of specific passages. This requires the reader to spend a little more time looking for the original language, but is a relatively small issue when compared to the importance of what Fei provides with this text.

With this book, Fei has provided a gateway into Chinese Theater that is accessible by anyone with an interest in the subject.