Economy of Identities in Traditional Chinese Theatre

The book is intended to become a useful reference for theatre people who need ＂China knowledge＂. Its central questions are: how is traditional Chinese theatre (＂Chinese opera＂, i.e. xiqu) embedded in contemporary Chinese society? What identities are created through theatre? And, most importantly: how are these identities related to one another to form a complex ＂economy of identities＂? An insight is offered into the traditional Chinese theatre system composed of over three hundred theatre types vying for recognition in a complex relational network. Understanding how this ＂relationality＂ works might also shed light on the functioning of other fields in the current socio-cultural complex of China.

Ágota RÉVÉSZ studied sinology and stage direction. She researches Chinese theatre, cultural diplomacy, narratives and media.