The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama
Columbia University Press
The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama
Columbia University Press
The first of its kind in English, this anthology translates twenty-two popular Chinese plays published between 1919 and 2000, accompanied by a critical introduction to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic evolution of twentieth-century Chinese spoken drama. Primarily comprising works from the People's Republic of China, though including representative plays from Hong Kong and Taiwan, this collection not only showcases the revolutionary rethinking of Chinese theater and performance that began in the late Qing dynasty. It also highlights the formation of Chinese national and gender identities during a period of tremendous social and political change, along with the genesis of contemporary attitudes toward the West.
Early twentieth-century Chinese drama embodies the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by modernism, socialism, political conflict, and war. After 1949, PRC theater painted a complex portrait of the rise of communism in China, with the ideals of Chinese socialism juxtaposed against the sacrifices made for a new society. The Cultural Revolution promoted a "model theater" cultivated from the achievements of earlier, leftist spoken drama, even though this theater arose from the destruction of old culture. Post-Mao drama addresses the socialist legacy and the attempts of a wounded nation to reexamine its cultural roots. Taiwan's spoken drama synthesizes regional and foreign traditions, and Hong Kong's spoken drama sparkles as a hybrid of Chinese and Western influences. Immensely valuable for cross-disciplinary, comparative, and performance study, this anthology provides essential perspective on China's theatricality and representation of political life.
Early twentieth-century Chinese drama embodies the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by modernism, socialism, political conflict, and war. After 1949, PRC theater painted a complex portrait of the rise of communism in China, with the ideals of Chinese socialism juxtaposed against the sacrifices made for a new society. The Cultural Revolution promoted a "model theater" cultivated from the achievements of earlier, leftist spoken drama, even though this theater arose from the destruction of old culture. Post-Mao drama addresses the socialist legacy and the attempts of a wounded nation to reexamine its cultural roots. Taiwan's spoken drama synthesizes regional and foreign traditions, and Hong Kong's spoken drama sparkles as a hybrid of Chinese and Western influences. Immensely valuable for cross-disciplinary, comparative, and performance study, this anthology provides essential perspective on China's theatricality and representation of political life.
The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama's excellent selection, colloquial and stage-friendly translations, and illuminating introduction undoubtedly make the volume the authoritative choice in teaching and reading modern Chinese drama for the foreseeable future. Siyuan Liu, World Books - PRI's The World
it brings any Western readers closer to the fascinating and rich world of modern Chinese theatre. Mary Mazzilli, China Quarterly
a rich, insightful, and thought-provoking perspective Faye Chunfang Fei, The Drama Review
Chen's volume contributes significantly to the available huaju texts in English, and will meet needs in multiple disciplines. Kevin J. Wetmore, Jr., Journal of Asian Studies
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Hu Shi, The Main Event in Life (1919), translated by Edward M. Gunn
2. Hong Shen, Yama Zhao (1922), translated by Carolyn T. Brown
3. Tian Han, The Night the Tiger Was Caught (1922-1923), translated by Jonathan S. Noble
4. Ouyang Yuqian, After Returning Home (1922), translated by Jonathan S. Noble
5. Ding Xilin, A Wasp (1923), translated by John B. Weinstein and Carsey Yee
6. Ding Xilin, Oppression (1925), translated by John B. Weinstein and Carsey Yee
7. Bai Wei, Breaking Out of Ghost Pagoda (1928), translated by Paul B. Foster
8. Cao Yu, Thunderstorm (1934), translated by Wang Tso-liang and A. C. Barnes, revised translation by Charles Qianzhi Wu, with a translation of prologue and epilogue
9. Li Jianwu, It's Only Spring (1934), translated by Tony Hyder
10. Xia Yan, Under Shanghai Eaves (1937), translated by George Hayden
11. Wu Zuguang, Return on a Snowy Night (1942), translated by Thomas Moran
12. Lao She, Teahouse (1958), translated by Ying Ruocheng, revised by Claire Conceison
13. Tian Han, Guan Hanqing (1958), retranslated by Amy Dooling
14. Chen Yun, The Young Generation (1965), translated by Constantine Tung and Kevin A. O'Connor
15. Weng Ouhong and A Jia, revised by the China Peking Opera Troupe, The Red Lantern (1970), translated by Brenda Austin and John B. Weinstein
16. Gao Xingjian, The Bus Stop (1983), translated by Shiao-Ling Yu
17. Li Longyun, Wilderness and Man (1988), translated by Bai Di and Nick Kaldis
18. Yang Limin, Geologists (1995), translated by Timothy C. Wong
19. Huang Jisu, Zhang Guangtian, and Shen Lin, Che Guevara (2000), translated by Jonathan S. Noble
20. Stan Lai (Lai Sheng-chuan), in collaboration with the cast, Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land (1986), translated by Stan Lai
21. Anthony Chan, Metamorphosis Under the Star (1986), translated by Grace Liu and Julia Wan
22. Joanna Chan, Crown Ourselves with Roses (1988), written and translated by Joanna Chan
Glossary
Contributors
Introduction
1. Hu Shi, The Main Event in Life (1919), translated by Edward M. Gunn
2. Hong Shen, Yama Zhao (1922), translated by Carolyn T. Brown
3. Tian Han, The Night the Tiger Was Caught (1922-1923), translated by Jonathan S. Noble
4. Ouyang Yuqian, After Returning Home (1922), translated by Jonathan S. Noble
5. Ding Xilin, A Wasp (1923), translated by John B. Weinstein and Carsey Yee
6. Ding Xilin, Oppression (1925), translated by John B. Weinstein and Carsey Yee
7. Bai Wei, Breaking Out of Ghost Pagoda (1928), translated by Paul B. Foster
8. Cao Yu, Thunderstorm (1934), translated by Wang Tso-liang and A. C. Barnes, revised translation by Charles Qianzhi Wu, with a translation of prologue and epilogue
9. Li Jianwu, It's Only Spring (1934), translated by Tony Hyder
10. Xia Yan, Under Shanghai Eaves (1937), translated by George Hayden
11. Wu Zuguang, Return on a Snowy Night (1942), translated by Thomas Moran
12. Lao She, Teahouse (1958), translated by Ying Ruocheng, revised by Claire Conceison
13. Tian Han, Guan Hanqing (1958), retranslated by Amy Dooling
14. Chen Yun, The Young Generation (1965), translated by Constantine Tung and Kevin A. O'Connor
15. Weng Ouhong and A Jia, revised by the China Peking Opera Troupe, The Red Lantern (1970), translated by Brenda Austin and John B. Weinstein
16. Gao Xingjian, The Bus Stop (1983), translated by Shiao-Ling Yu
17. Li Longyun, Wilderness and Man (1988), translated by Bai Di and Nick Kaldis
18. Yang Limin, Geologists (1995), translated by Timothy C. Wong
19. Huang Jisu, Zhang Guangtian, and Shen Lin, Che Guevara (2000), translated by Jonathan S. Noble
20. Stan Lai (Lai Sheng-chuan), in collaboration with the cast, Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land (1986), translated by Stan Lai
21. Anthony Chan, Metamorphosis Under the Star (1986), translated by Grace Liu and Julia Wan
22. Joanna Chan, Crown Ourselves with Roses (1988), written and translated by Joanna Chan
Glossary
Contributors