Asian Theater Traditions

Study Notes

Asian Theater

Incorporates many ancient and rich traditions, with a spectacular and diverse range of performances.

Sanskrit Drama in India

Dates back to the 8th century BCE, before the development of classical Greek tragedy.
Emerged in the early century A.D. and continued to form and perform up to the 15th century C.E.
This nearly 1,200-year span makes Sanskrit drama the longest continuously performing tradition of any dramatic text in the world.
Covers many subjects and types, ranging from poetic love stories to short farces.
Almost all have happy endings.
The only surviving Sanskrit theatre today is Koodiyattam in Kerala.

Beijing Opera in China

Developed from traveling troupes in 1790 and is now the national opera of China.
Combines song, dance, acrobatics, mime, stylized movements, elaborate costumes, and face painting accompanied by an orchestra and percussion bands.
Performed on a variety of stages, including huge theatrical houses and palaces.
Little scenery is used, instead, actors perform certain gestures to indicate location.
Highly trained actors have different acting skills related to specific body parts or actions.

Drama in Japan

Nōh Drama

The oldest surviving Japanese dramatic form, handed down from generation to generation.
Developed from ancient dance-drama traditions and is very visually oriented.
Combines dance, drama, music, and poetry into a highly stylized retelling of a well-known story.
Performers are storytellers who use their visual appearance and movements to suggest the story rather than reenacting it.
Stories are straightforward and would be known already by the audience, so the emphasis is on symbols and subtle cultural allusions contained in the words and movements.
Performed in empty fields, with indoor sets retaining an openness to space.

Kabuki

Emerged from shrine dances around 1600 and reached its peak during the shogun-dominated Edo era in Japan from 1616 to 1853.
Three categories of Kabuki plays: domestic plays, history plays, and dance dramas.
Early performers of Kabuki were women, but they were banned from the stage in 1629, and males played all female parts.
A very spectacular art form with an exaggerated acting style.

Contemporary Theater in the Philippines

Not covered in detail, but mentioned as an important aspect of Asian theater.

Description

Explore ancient and rich Asian theater traditions such as Sanskrit drama in India, Beijing Opera in China, Kabuki and Bunraku in Japan, and contemporary theater in the Philippines. Learn about the historical significance and cultural impact of these theatrical art forms.