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While modern drama as an art form is called xiju (drama) in China, traditional Chinese drama is called xiqu (literally, play with dramatic songs). Although elements of drama appeared in China’s high antiquity, in comparison with drama in the Indian and Greek traditions, Chinese drama in its full sense of the word arose late in terms of Wang Guowei’s widely accepted definition: “Drama is the enactment of a story using songs and dances” 戏曲者,谓以歌舞演故事也”(Investigating the Origins of Drama戏曲考原); “The meaning of drama was not complete before the acting out of a story using language, action, and singing appeared” 必合言语、动作、歌唱以演一故事,而后戏剧之意义始全”(Investigating Drama in the Song and Yuan Dynasties宋元戏曲考). Indeed, drama in the full-fledged form did not appear until the Song and Yuan Dynasties (10th and 13th centuries). Despite its later rise, Chinese drama has made tremendous advance in its historical development and produced a large repertoire of dramatic works in a dazzling array of dramatic forms which range from the national-scale drama Peking Opera to regional dramas like Kun drama, Yue drama, Chuan drama, Yu drama, Huai drama, Huangmei drama, etc. After the coming of Western drama, Chinese drama has gone through a modern transformation and has developed into a modern form of performing art the brilliance of which rivals that of dramatic art of other literary traditions across the world. Along with the development of Chinese drama, there have appeared numerous studies of Chinese dramatic art, which cover the full spectrum of Chinese dramatic art from its traditional form to the contemporary form. Among these works, a monograph which will be published in English translation merits special attention for scholars of drama, performing art, and literary criticism, as well as practitioners of performing art in the English-speaking world. It is Prof. Wang Tingxin’s A Study of the Communication Methods of Chinese Drama in the 20th Century. An interested reader may ask: Why is this work worthy of special attention? I will give a brief answer to this question in this preface.

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Foreword to a Study of the Communication Methods of Traditional Chinese Drama in the 20th Century

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Wang Tingxin

摘要

While modern drama as an art form is called xiju (drama) in China, traditional Chinese drama is called xiqu (literally, play with dramatic songs). Although elements of drama appeared in China’s high antiquity, in comparison with drama in the Indian and Greek traditions, Chinese drama in its full sense of the word arose late in terms of Wang Guowei’s widely accepted definition: “Drama is the enactment of a story using songs and dances” 戏曲者,谓以歌舞演故事也”(Investigating the Origins of Drama戏曲考原); “The meaning of drama was not complete before the acting out of a story using language, action, and singing appeared” 必合言语、动作、歌唱以演一故事,而后戏剧之意义始全”(Investigating Drama in the Song and Yuan Dynasties宋元戏曲考). Indeed, drama in the full-fledged form did not appear until the Song and Yuan Dynasties (10th and 13th centuries). Despite its later rise, Chinese drama has made tremendous advance in its historical development and produced a large repertoire of dramatic works in a dazzling array of dramatic forms which range from the national-scale drama Peking Opera to regional dramas like Kun drama, Yue drama, Chuan drama, Yu drama, Huai drama, Huangmei drama, etc. After the coming of Western drama, Chinese drama has gone through a modern transformation and has developed into a modern form of performing art the brilliance of which rivals that of dramatic art of other literary traditions across the world. Along with the development of Chinese drama, there have appeared numerous studies of Chinese dramatic art, which cover the full spectrum of Chinese dramatic art from its traditional form to the contemporary form. Among these works, a monograph which will be published in English translation merits special attention for scholars of drama, performing art, and literary criticism, as well as practitioners of performing art in the English-speaking world. It is Prof. Wang Tingxin’s A Study of the Communication Methods of Chinese Drama in the 20th Century. An interested reader may ask: Why is this work worthy of special attention? I will give a brief answer to this question in this preface.