Chinese Court Drama

This book is the first ever anthology of English translations of Chinese court drama. An integral part of court life in China, themed plays punctuated the changing seasons, marked Imperial birthdays, and were shown to visiting ambassadors as a means of diplomacy. Though traditionally overlooked by histories of Chinese drama, in favour of more literary, less performance-orientated forms, Chinese court theatre embodies one of the richest and most fascinating performance traditions of world drama.

This collection presents a variety of court drama pieces for an English readership, showcasing the diversity of what was performed and how these theatrical pieces were woven into the life of the court. Each chapter is themed and contains an introduction to guide the reader into the necessary context and cultural background, followed by two complementary selections presenting different facets of Chinese court plays.

Translated by a team of expert scholars and translators with a background in court theatre studies, this anthology relinks Chinese court drama to its global context while providing a unique insight into life in the Forbidden City. The volume thus makes the richness of Chinese court drama accessible to readers with an interest in theatre and performance studies, Chinese studies, and comparative literature.