A Topsy-Turvy World: Short Plays and Farces from the Ming and Qing Dynasties

During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, playwriting in various forms flourished, particularly shorter theatrical genres that allowed playwrights to experiment with dramatic form and social critique. A Topsy-Turvy World presents English translations of sixteenth-to-eighteenth-century plays, showcasing a lesser-known side of Chinese drama. These one-act plays depict deceit, dissembling, reversed gender roles, and sudden upending of fortunes, offering a glimpse into Chinese daily life and mores while questioning or subverting social, moral, and political order. Each translation is preceded by a short introduction that provides context, formal qualities, and textual history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, playwriting in various forms experienced a remarkable flourishing. Particularly, shorter theatrical genres provided playwrights with an exciting opportunity to explore and experiment with dramatic form and social critique. Despite their originality and wit, these short plays have often been overshadowed by the lengthy masterpieces of the southern drama tradition.

To shed light on a lesser-known aspect of Chinese drama, A Topsy-Turvy World presents English translations of shorter sixteenth-to-eighteenth-century plays. These mostly one-act plays are characterized by their satirical and often earthy tone, depicting a range of themes such as deceit, dissembling, reversed gender roles, and sudden changes in fortune. With a zest for life and humor, they portray henpecked husbands, hypocritical and lustful monks, human sage kings, disgruntled officials, and ambitious young scholars. These plays offer a captivating glimpse into Chinese daily life and customs while simultaneously questioning or subverting the boundaries of social, moral, and political order.

Before each translation, a short introduction provides valuable context, including information about the plays author, historical setting, formal qualities, and textual history. This introduction offers readers a deeper understanding of the plays and their place within the broader context of Chinese theatrical tradition.

A Topsy-Turvy World provides a fresh perspective on a significant period in the development of the Chinese theatrical tradition, highlighting the role of drama as a cultural critique. It opens doors to a world of wit, humor, and social commentary, allowing readers to appreciate the rich tapestry of Chinese theatrical heritage.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231208963