 |
 |
|
~~~~
Chinese dramatic arts have been present in the form that we know for over 900 years. The
first records of a play come from Northern Sung dynasty. The Chinese theatre is very
distinct from the Western theatre. This kind of play is made of several elements: music,
song, recitation, and movement. All these elements existed long before actual theater but
were brought together by it. ~~~~ The first kind of Chinese drama came from the North, although similar developments were discovered elsewhere. This form appeared by merging two other forms of entertainment: ballad medleys and comic sketches. ~~~~ During the Mongol rule, many literate people were pushed away from their regular jobs and therefore, started to show more interest in the dramatic arts. The first very famous northern style of drama was the tsa-ch�, �variety plays,� or �miscellany plays� with numerous themes. However, the poetry written as librettos for the arias was thought of as best. ~~~~ The Shakespeare of that style and period was Kuan Han-ch�ing who lived in the 13th century. He wrote 60 plays, only 17 of which survived until our time. Some are tragedies, some love stories, some comedies. As I said, he is one of the Shakespeares. ~~~~ During Ming dynasty the tsa-ch� began to slowly decline and by 16th century was replaced by ch�uan-ch�i, a style from south China. The main difference from the other style was its music, very long plays, and overall gentler tone. Kao Ming was one of the first to use this style in his work around 14th century. His most famous play, The Story of the Lute, is considered one of the best pieces of the style. ~~~~ In the 19th century, the southern style almost completely disappeared when wars brought multiple areas to be destroyed. Then, however, the Peking Opera took over.
|