Chinese TheatreEarly History

Ritual, Rites & Shamansreligious connections

Shang dynasty (c. 1766–1066 B.C.E.)

hunting dances

dances imitating animals

http://www.xip.fi/atd/china/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre.html

Zhou (Chou) dynasty (c. 1066–221 B.C.E.)

wu dances - performed by men

xi (hsi) dances - performed by women

Chorus dances

http://www.xip.fi/atd/china/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre.html

Other type of performances

comic numbers performed by clowns

dwarfs (little people)

displays of acrobatic skill

http://www.xip.fi/atd/china/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre.html

Martial Arts (demonstrations/performances)

popular entertainment

movements employed by dances originated from the martial arts

early martial art systems -Chinese martial operas - acrobatic fighting scenes

the 20th century gongfu (kung-fu) movies later developed

http://www.xip.fi/atd/china/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre.html

at court public festivities

baixi (pai-shi)

Grand Scale Spectacle

folk art/acrobatics“100 entertainments”http://chineselitlife.blogspot.com/p/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre_26.html

martial art demonstrations

mimes

jugglers magicians

acrobats

song

musical recitals

dance- water-sleeves

http://www.xip.fi/atd/china/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre.html

textual evidencevisual evidence

linear beauty

sleeves ribbons scarves

undulating in the air

http://www.xip.fi/atd/china/the-early-history-of-chinese-theatre.html

YouTube Videos

https://youtu.be/FObgSIodCSACRTV.NL Peking Opera meets Chinese Martial Arts

Beijing Operahttps://youtu.be/fXhs8PiGJpo

Jackie Chan Stunts and Comedyhttps://youtu.be/Z1PCtIaM_GQ

Documentary on Peking Operahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2uAT_zqKwE