Independent Research Project Martha Gough

I plan to look into different aspects of Chinese theatre both traditional and contemporary.

Ref: (Harvard) Scott, A, (1957), The Classical Theatre of China, Great Britain: Routledge Summary:Includes information on the history of Chinese theatre, the music and plays of the Ching Hsi Theatre, the actors, costume and a glossary of technical terms. Application:The glossary in this book will be very useful as it covers a lot of Chinese words I don’t know the meanings of,

Ref: (Harvard) Lianling, H, (1986), Stage design of China, Beijing: China Theatre Publishing House Summary:Lots of pictures of different aspects of Chinese theatre, mostly stage design. Application:Huge collection of visual recourses I can use within the essay.

Ref: (Harvard) Howard, R, (1978), Contemporary Chinese theatre, Hong Kong: Heinemann Summary:Includes a historical background of Chinese theatre, Summary's of the different types of theatre and the characteristics of contemporary theatre. Application:Although the book is not up to date it is still a good source of information about more modern Chinese theatre.

Ref: (Harvard) Jin, Fu, (2012), Chinese Theatre, New York: Cambridge University Press Summary:Overview of different aspects of Chinese theatre Application:This book is more up to date and more readable than the other books so I think it’ll will be a good source of information on both traditional and more modern Chinese theatre

Ref: (Harvard) Ruru, L, (2002), Mao’s Chair: Revolutionizing Chinese Theatre, Theatre Research International, Issue 1 Summary:Journal about Mao’s instruction that we should ‘never forget the class struggle’ Application:It will be interesting to see if his ideas reflect in the theatre spaces I look into

Ref: (Harvard) Buss, K, (2016), DECORATION, COSTUME, AND SYMBOLIC DESIGN IN CHINESE THEATRE, Accessed on 27/02/2016 Summary:A page of information on various aspects of design in Chinese Theatre Application:Useful information on the design of Chinese Theatre. (Also pages on the religious influence and the origins of Chinese drama)

Ref: (Harvard) CCTV English, (2014), Cultural performance: Highlights of Chinese Theater - Flowers of all Colors, Accessed on 27/02/2015 Summary:Video of Chinese performance of ‘Flowers of all Colors’ which shows how costumes move and the set uses projection/video. Application:It’s interesting to see how moving imagery has been incorporated into the set design of this modern performance.

Ref: (Harvard) (2016), Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony, Accessed on 27/02/2016 Summary:Video of the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. Shows choreography, costume and set pieces. Application:Interesting to see how Chinese theatre has influenced the opening ceremony and how it’s been adapted for a large amount of performers and a global audience.

Ref: (Harvard) TCL, (2016), TCL Chinese Theatre History, Accessed on 27/02/2016 Summary:Information of the TCL Chinese theatre house in Hollywood Application:I might use this information as a comparison to Chinese Theatre houses in China.

Ref: (Harvard) The InSite group, (2016), Case study TCL Chinese Theatre, Accessed on 27/02/2016 Summary:Case study of TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood Application:More details for comparison of TCL Chinese Theatre house with Chinese theatre houses in China.

(Mackerras, 1975, P 129)

(Mackerras, 1975, P 135)

3 story stage of the King Dynasty in Summer Palace, Beijing (Lianling, 1986, p 8)

(Jin, 2012, p 127)

Design by Zheng Chuan’en for the Beijing Opera ‘Guan Zhong Assumes Office of Prime Minister’ 1982 (Lianling, 1986, p 46)

Chinese theatre makeup

Examples of Chinese theatre costume

Screen capture of a scene from Flowers of all colours

‘Globe’ from the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening ceremony (Olympic.org, 2016)

Photo of the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood which hosts several film premiers throughout the year

With the research I have done, I’m thinking of writing about the similarities and differences between modern and traditional Chinese theatre, focusing on the playhouses and the stage design in particular.