Overview According to a 2015 report from the British Council, the Chinese are more passionate about Shakespeare than the British and Hong Kongers. By tracing a historical line of Shakespeare’s development in China, this post investigates Shakespearean productions in China and their impact on Chinese communities as well as theContinue reading
Tag: spring2018
The Indigenization and Transformation of Sarsuwela in the Philippines
Overview: Sarswela is the national theater genre of the Philippines. After a long, complicated history, Filipino sarsuwela became a unique style of musical theater that delved into the political struggles of the past in search for a better future. More modern plays continue to explore political and social problems inContinue reading
For and By Commoners: Bongsan Talchum – Korean Traditional Mask Dance
Synopsis: Bongsan Talchum is a type of Korean traditional mask dance that originated in Hwanghae Province, North Korea. This type of Korean musical theater is known for its humor centering on the satire of the upper class and portrayal of commoners’ life. History of Talchum Talchum, or mask dance, is aContinue reading
Food, Conflict, and Performance
Synopsis: The combination of food and performance has a special power to foster conversation. The New York productions of Oh My Sweet Land and the entire premise of Conflict Kitchen demonstrate that when these two are put together, they can impact the way people think about geopolitical issues and conflicts.Continue reading
Evolution of jatra in Bengal
Overview: Jatra is a form of theater prevalent in eastern India and Bangladesh. This page will trace the effects of societal changes on this form of theatre. Jatra is a form of folk theater in the eastern parts of the Indian sub-continent (West Bengal, Odisha, Bangladesh, to name aContinue reading
The History of Beijing Opera as a National Chinese Art Form
Overview: Beijing (Peking) Opera is a Chinese art form that emphasizes Chinese culture through the medium of instruments, singing, and dancing. Beijing Opera became popular during the end of the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s and remained so until the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, where it was condemned byContinue reading
El Güegüense
El Güegüense is a Nicaraguan play about a trickster outwitting colonial authorities that comes from traditions of dance and street theater and is performed at the feast of San Sebastián every year in Diriamba. Introduction El Güegüense is a play closely tied to Nicaraguan identity and culture. The playContinue reading
Evolution of Cantonese Opera
OVERVIEW: Cantonese opera has been performed since the 13thcentury. This stylistic theatre incorporates elaborate makeup, costume, music, and movement to convey its moral message to the audience. Still performed today, Cantonese opera has evolved to remain popular in Hong Kong and beyond. Introduction When hearing the term opera, the firstContinue reading
The Yu Lan Hungry Ghost Festival
Overview: Many places around the world have a special day or event for remembering the dead. For many people in Hong Kong, Yu Lan (or the Hungry Ghost) Festival celebrates this very purpose, honoring the dead. This festival occurs every year during the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar, whichContinue reading
Resisting Arrest: Soviet Ballet as Protest from 1955-1980
Synopsis: The Soviet Union of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s experienced heavy artistic censorship, despite its small strides in liberalism since Stalin’s death. Ballet was an art form woven tightly into Russia’s intra- and inter-cultural presence, and thus strictly monitored by the government. In rare cases, artists channeled ballet asContinue reading
