Asian+Theatre

Asian Theatre ** Characteristics ** Asian theatre otherwise known as Eastern culture is a popular art and theatre form. It was started on the eastern hemisphere of the world in countries such as; Japan, China and India. There are several different forms of Asian theatre that all share similar ideas and aspects. These aspects include any detailed costumes or make up, energetic pantomime and use of music, dance and movement.

Indian Theatre


 * Theatre in India uses the religion of Hinduism to inspire many of their plays.
 * Sanskrit plays incorporates many emotions and has a poetic style.
 * Many Sanskrit plays are written by Bhasa, Shudraka and Kalidasa.
 * Most all of Sanskrit plays have a happy ending.
 * Sanskrit plays show journeys of characters trying to resolve life conflicts.



Japanese Theatre

Bunraku (the use of puppets) Kabuki (use of spectacle)
 * Theatre types area :Noh (the art of walking)
 * Noh theatre was performed in the 14 century. Actors have masks to describe their characters.
 * Bunraku theatre used large puppets usually 3-4 feet tall. And are controlled by puppeteers not seen by the audience.
 * Music and chanting is popular in Bunraku theatre.
 * Kabuki theatre involves music, dance and drama.
 * The plays were very eccentric.
 * The first Kabuki show was performed in 1603.



Chinese Theatre


 * Beijing opera has 200 continuous years of history.
 * Anhui is a very common type of opera.
 * The first performance of this opera was in 1790 to celebrate the emperors birthday.
 * The Beijing opera has become the largest opera in the country of China
 * Beijing opera incorporates singing, acting, dancing, and fighting to tell a story.
 * They also use face paint when acting in a comedy.
 * They use a lot of colors to represent rolls and fates.
 * Chineses theatre usually has long and epic journeys.
 * A famous Beijing opera is "The Romance of Three Kingdoms".



Making Modern Day Connections

Youth Of asian theatre is a group that uses Asian theatre to tell youth issues in today's society.
 * The Beijing opera is still performed today and they travel all over the world.
 * The Broadway version of "The Lion King" uses puppets for the main characters which is like Bunraku theatre.
 * Sanskrit theatre was usually performed on a proscenium arch stage like many plays today.


 * Many forms of Asian theatre are not spoken but use sing and chants or bdy movement instead.
 * In Noh theatre all performers are male.
 * It is one of the oldest forms of theatre that is still performed today.
 * In Sanskrit plays theatre mostly involved character types instead of specific roles.