IB Theatre - Research Presentation: World Theatre Traditions List

"An introduction to the theatrical art of comic storytelling that originated in the Edo period, Rakugo sheds light on Japanese culture as a whole: its aesthetics, social relations, and learning styles. Enriched with personal anecdotes, Rakugo explicates the art's contemporary performance culture: the image, training and techniques of the storytellers, the venues where they perform, and the role of the audience in sustaining the art. Laurie Brau inquires into how this comic art form participates in the discourse of heritage, serving as a symbol of the Edo culture, while continuing to appeal to Japanese today."--Publisher.

Guiding us through a millennium of Chinese shadow theater history, with a particular focus on the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Chen harnesses her versatility and expertise in the fields of drama, history, popular culture, ethnography, and linguistics to pre "An important book for what it tells us about the history of society and the arts in China. The social themes are woven into the artistic and literary and Chen includes coverage of the other performing arts and an extensive history of the mask in China. Most compelling is the discussion of gender, the rich images and motifs associated with female warriors, and the role of women in upholding or subverting the value system of their cultures. - Publisher