The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama: abridged edition (Weatherhead Books on Asia)

**Praise for** **__The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama__** __"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."—PRI's __The World__ "It brings any Western readers closer to the fascinating and rich world of modern Chinese theatre."—__China Quarterly__ "A rich, insightful, and thought-provoking perspective."—__The Drama Review__ "Chen's volume contributes significantly to the available huaju texts in English, and will meet needs in multiple disciplines."—__Journal of Asian Studies__ This condensed anthology reproduces close to a dozen plays from Xiaomei Chen’s well-received original collection, along with her critical introduction to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic evolution of twentieth-century Chinese spoken drama. This condensed anthology reproduces close to a dozen plays from Xiaomei Chen's well-received original collection, The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama , along with her critical introduction to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic evolution of twentieth-century Chinese spoken drama. Comprising representative works from the Republican era to postsocialist China, the book encapsulates the revolutionary rethinking of Chinese theater and performance that began in the late Qing dynasty and vividly portrays the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by modernism, socialism, political conflict, and war. Chosen works from 1919 to 1990 also highlight the formation of national and gender identities during a period of tremendous social, cultural, and political change in China and the genesis of contemporary attitudes toward the West. PRC theater tracks the rise of communism, juxtaposing ideals of Chinese socialism against the sacrifices made for a new society. Post-Mao drama addresses the nation's socialist legacy, its attempt to reexamine its cultural roots, and postsocialist reflections on critical issues such as nation, class, gender, and collective memories. An essential, portable guide for easy reference and classroom use, this abridgment provides a concise yet well-rounded survey of China's theatricality and representation of political life. The original work not only established a canon of modern Chinese drama in the West but also made it available for the first time in English in a single volume. "This condensed anthology reproduces close to a dozen plays from Xiaomei Chen's well-received original collection, along with her critical introduction to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic evolution of twentieth-century Chinese spoken drama. Comprising representative works from the People's Republic of China, the collection encapsulates the revolutionary rethinking of Chinese theater and performance that began in the late Qing dynasty and vividly portrays the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by modernism, socialism, political conflict, and war. Chosen works from 1919 to 1990 also highlight the formation of Chinese national and gender identities during a period of tremendous social, cultural, and political change and the genesis of contemporary attitudes toward the West. PRC theater tracks the rise of communism in China, juxtaposing ideals of Chinese socialism against the sacrifices made for a new society. Post-Mao drama addresses the nation's socialist legacy, its attempt to reexamine its cultural roots, and postsocialist reflections on critical issues such as nation, class, gender, and collective memories. An essential, portable guide for easy reference and classroom use, this abridgement provides a concise yet well-rounded survey of China's theatricality and representation of political life. This work has not only established a canon of modern Chinese drama but also made it available for the first time in English in a single volume"--Provided by publisher Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1.The Main Event in Life (1919), translated by Edward M. Gunn 2. The Night the Tiger Was Caught (1922–1923), translated by Jonathan S. Noble 3. After Returning Home (1922), translated by Jonathan S. Noble 4. A Wasp (1923), translated by John B. Weinstein and Carsey Yee 5. Breaking Out of Ghost Pagoda (1928), translated by Paul B. Foster 6. Thunderstorm (1934), translated by Wang Tso-liang and A. C. Barnes, revised translation by Charles Qianzhi Wu, with a translation of prologue and epilogue 7. Under Shanghai Eaves (1937), translated by George Hayden 8. Teahouse (1958), translated by Ying Ruocheng, revised by Claire Conceison 9. Guan Hanqing (1958), retranslated by Amy Dooling 10. The Young Generation (1965), translated by Constantine Tung and Kevin A. O’Connor 11. The Red Lantern (1970), translated by Brenda Austin and John B. Weinstein 12. The Bus Stop (1983), translated by Shiao-Ling Yu 13. Jiang Qing and Her Husbands (1990), translated by Kirk A. Denton Glossary Contributors Praise for The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama "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."—PRI's The World "It brings any Western readers closer to the fascinating and rich world of modern Chinese theatre."— China Quarterly "A rich, insightful, and thought-provoking perspective."— The Drama Review "Chen's volume contributes significantly to the available huaju texts in English, and will meet needs in multiple disciplines."— Journal of Asian Studies This condensed anthology reproduces close to a dozen plays from Xiaomei Chen’s well-received original collection, along with her critical introduction to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic evolution of twentieth-century Chinese spoken drama. "This condensed anthology reproduces close to a dozen plays from Xiaomei Chen's ... original collection, along with her critical introduction to the historical, cultural and asethetic evolution of twentieth century Chinese spoken drama. Comprising representative works from the Republican era to postsocialist China, the book encapsulates the revolutionary rethinking of Chinese theater and performace that began in the late Qing dynasty and vividly portrays the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by modernism, socialism, political conflict, and war. Chosen works from 1919 to 1990 also highlight the formation of national and gender identities during a period of tremendous social, cultural, and political change in China and the genesis of contemporary attitudes toward the West. ..."--Back cover This condensed anthology reproduces close to a dozen plays from Xiaomei Chen's well-received original collection, 'The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama', along with her critical introduction to the historical, cultural, and aesthetic evolution of twentieth-century Chinese spoken drama. Comprising representative works from the Republican era to postsocialist China, the book encapsulates the revolutionary rethinking of Chinese theatre and performance that began in the late Qing dynasty and portrays the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by modernism, socialism, political conflict, and war