The Evolution Of Modern Chinese Theaters

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20 th century,China’s economy,politics,culture and society entered a revolutionary turn.In the background of the "west wind spreading to the East" and the later new culture movement,the drama space was also struck with innovation and became a crucial part of China’s new culture.Drama and new stage styles,which directly concern social reality,have been accepted by the intellectual class in China,and rapidly effect the overall development of drama.This is a process of cultural interaction between China and the West.For instance the influence of Japanese new drama intertwined with European drama,gave birth early Chinese drama.At that time,it was called "new drama" or "civilised drama".Parallel to this influence was an advancement in the field of traditional Chinese opera.The emergence of early Chinese drama had brought more independent,complete and simple drama works with various viewing forms.In particular,the content of drama was more directly combined with social reality,and the stage image more real and ‘close to life’.Different from the stage,tea garden and guild hall of traditional Chinese opera,the theatre and stage space of early drama presented a new form of drama appreciation.These characteristics and advantages began to be accepted by Chinese society,and also promoted the reform and innovation of Chinese traditional opera and other performing arts.The integration of early drama and traditional Chinese opera had brought about the modern transformation of Chinese theatre and shaped the audience’s new appreciation for close to life drama,which had a far-reaching impact.It can also be said that the transformation of modern theatre brought forth by early drama also reflects the transformation of Chinese society to a certain extent.The transformation of Chinese modern theatre was a gradual development process.Then,ambitious artists of the time became inspired by the Western Theatre forms,actively exploring and practicing,to create new theatre forms in combination with the characteristics of Chinese cities.First,new theatre groups emerged in Shanghai and spread to all parts of the country.As a result,Western Theatre combined with Chinese traditional theatre culture formed a new type of theatre and began to take root in the ancient land of China.In this process,the Chinese audience entered modern times as not only the recipient of drama art,but also with the motivation and power to promote theatre reform.In the historical stage of the early transformation,the Chinese audience was not only a spectator of drama but also becoming a participant in the creation of the new dawn of Chinese drama.Their demand for dramatic art and the new aesthetic requirements of the new era began affecting the formation and development of new theatre.On the other hand,the new theatre became not only a place for entertainment,but also a function of social education.The historical role and social significance of theatre transformation and social acceptance brought by early drama are of the up most importance.