An Alternative Modern Theater

In the history of contemporary Chinese Drama(since 1980s),Gao Xingjian is one of the important explorers who are pursuing for the art of theater. Since the 1980s, he has written no less than 15 plays which are full of experimentations. Meanwhile, as one of playwrights who highly take dramatic theory into account, he exerts himself to discuss important dramatic concepts for attempting various dramatic forms. On the whole, there is a close association between his dramatic theory and practice.This article tries to illuminate the connotation and characteristics of Gao Xingjian's plays through unscrambling on his plays comprehensively and analyzing on their contents thoroughly. My aim is to try to find out the relations between the writer's dramatic theory and his plays by analyzing on plays combined with dramatic theory, show the features of"alternative modern theatre"which is constructed by Gao Xingjian, and strive to make an estimate of the value and significance of this theatre. My argument is that Gao's plays are an alternative way of explanation of the eternal human predicament. By explaining the interpersonal especially sex relations and the relationship between one person and himself, Gao's plays inquire everything concerning"ego"profoundly. His works reveal a truth that the forming and resolving of the human predicament all depend upon the notion of"ego", so they enlighten the audiences to attain relaxation and freedom with an attitude of detachment.