THEATRE HISTORY Chinese and Hindu Theatre THE BEGINNINGS

THEATRE HISTORY Chinese and Hindu Theatre

THE BEGINNINGS OF CHINESE THEATRE The beginnings: � 2000 BC � Used interpretive dance � Dances told a story � Reverence for ancestors � Only the people of the Emperor's court saw the dramas

Religion, philosophy had large influence on Chinese theater: Confucianism Stresses responsibility of individual to others Taoism Stresses simplicity, patience and nature’s harmony Shamanism Rituals combined costumes, song, dance and gesture

CHINESE DRAMA: 8 TH- 9 TH CENTURYAD Emperor Ming Huang � founded a school for actors � called the Children of the Pear Tree Garden � considered the patron saint of theatre in China to this day Style: � highly formalized � themes- ancestor worship, military glory, faithfulness to husband

END OF MING HAUNG’S DRAMA Mongol invasion 1280 AD � they wanted: (like later Romans) action stunts acrobatics songs dances THE CHALK CIRCLE : Lawsuit-and-trial genre Bertolt Brecht saw a version and wrote The Caucasian Chalk Circle THE LUTE SONG (plays from that time): Mixture of high art and popular theatrical traditions Compared to Elizabethan England 5 th century Greece When the Communists took over in 1949 it ended this dramaused theatre for government policy

THE PEKING OPERA Westerners considered the Chinese theatre opera because of the singing it had a very symbolic quality most acting was done by men

STYLE OF PEKING OPERA Used highly stylized poses and movements Very graceful Every gesture meant something �a sleeve over the eyes= weeping �shoulders shaking= grief

PROPS AND COSTUMES • Props were also symbolic white paper falling= snow an actor with a flag= army flag with wavy lines- river colors= emotions red= faithfulness blue= cruelty white= evil Used thick makeup and dazzling costumes

Theatre of Indian

CHARACTERISTICS OF SANSKRIT DRAMA They use stories drawn from the great Indian epics � The Mahabharata � The Ramayana The � no stages were elaborately decorated representational scenery was used Movements of every part of the body, vocal delivery, and song followed strict codes

HINDU THEATRE Ancient- dates back to 1500 BC A religious form real theatre emerged around 5 th Century BC Sanskrit- language the educated used Performed in courtyards and gardens of rulers Actors waited in a “greenroom” before going on stage * we use this term today in drama

Sanskrit Drama: • Written in Sanskrit, the language of the noble classes • performed in court circles • The Natyasastra as example of Indian theatre • Set and scenery • Costumes • Dance and movement

HINDU THEATRE Scenery was a decorated wall small audiences close to stage delicate restrained acting styles plays always ended happily women were on stage- ( this may have been the first place to allow women) Next week: Medieval Theatre