Performing the Socialist State: Modern Chinese Theater and Film Culture

Performing the Socialist State provides an innovative analysis of the origins, evolution, and legacies of key trends in twentieth-century Chinese theater, highlighting the continuities in theatrical practices and shared aspirations across the Republican, high socialist, and postsocialist periods. It explores the careers of three founders of modern Chinese theater and film and their legacy, which shaped theater cultures into the twenty-first century. The book investigates how their visions for a free, democratic China fared in the initial years of the People's Republic and how theater professionals navigated shifting ruling ideologies to create works that are politically acceptable yet aesthetically ingenious.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Performing the Socialist State offers a groundbreaking exploration of the origins, evolution, and enduring legacies of significant trends in twentieth-century Chinese theater. Rather than treating the Republican, high socialist, and postsocialist periods as distinct epochs, this book identifies crucial continuities in theatrical practices and shared aspirations for the social role and artistic achievements of performance across these eras.

In her insightful study, Xiaomei Chen delves into the remarkable careers of three pioneering figures in modern Chinese theater and film: Tian Han, Hong Shen, and Ouyang Yuqian. Through their enduring legacies, these individuals played a pivotal role in shaping the theater cultures that have emerged in the twenty-first century. They introduced Western plays and theories, adapted traditional Chinese operas, and established a tradition of leftist theater during the Republican period, laying the groundwork for the construction of a socialist canon after 1949.

Chen's research takes a deep dive into the early years of the People's Republic, examining how these artists' visions for a free and democratic China fared amidst the challenges of adapting to the Communist Party's demand for ideologically correct works. She explores the intricate transformations that occurred in plays, operas, and films as they grappled with depictions of women, peasants, soldiers, scientists, and revolutionary history. By examining the interplay between market economy, collective memories, star culture, social networks, and state sponsorship, Chen sheds light on how these factors influenced dramatic productions.

Countering the notion that state interference stifles artistic imagination, Chen argues that theater professionals have adeptly navigated shifting ruling ideologies to create works that are both politically acceptable and aesthetically remarkable. Through their creative prowess, they have managed to strike a delicate balance between artistic expression and political constraints, producing works that resonate with audiences while also adhering to the Party's guidelines.

Performing the Socialist State is a seminal work that provides a fresh perspective on the history of Chinese theater and film. By highlighting the continuities and shared aspirations across different periods, Chen offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics that have shaped the artistic landscape of China. This book will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the cultural and political dimensions of theater and film in twentieth-century China.

Weight: 754g
Dimension: 160 x 238 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231197762