Traditional Asian Theater

Traditional Asian Theater

China Peking Opera

Beijing The Peking Opera House

• China’s National Opera • Originated in the late 18th century

• Synthesis of music, dance, art, and acrobatics • Known for acrobatic fighting

• Costumes come from Ming dynasty no matter what time setting.

Make-up

Stage set up

Japan

Noh Theater

Noh Theater in Japan • Came of age in the 14th century • Buddhist monks used it as a teaching tool • Performed on a simple, almost bare stage and like classical Greek tragedy, uses only two actors and chorus • Tone tends to be serious • Many short plays together in an evenings entertainment

Zeami - the Father of Noh Theater

Kabuki Theater

Kabuki Theater of Japan • Over 400 years old • Originated as middle class theater • Actors do not speak • Narrator describes the scene, comments on the action, and even speaks portions of the dialogue

Cont. • Originally performed by all female cast • Government forbid women on stage • Make-up very important • Melodramas centered around climactic moments as opposed to plots

Bunraku