Mei Lanfang and the Twentieth-Century International Stage

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Min Tian

   Pages 1-14

3. Redefining a Cultural Nation and Reifying a Theatre Tradition: Mei Lanfang’s International Debut in Japan

   • Min Tian

   Pages 15-56

4. “The Gentlemanly ‘Leading Lady’” as “Ambassador in Art”: Mei Lanfang’s 1930 Tour of the United States

   • Min Tian

   Pages 57-101

5. Glory or Shame to the Chinese Nation: The Chinese Debate on Mei Lanfang’s 1935 Visit to the Soviet Union

   • Min Tian

   Pages 103-133

6. Learning the “Practical Lesson”: The Interpretations and Appropriations of Mei Lanfang’s Art by the Soviet Theatre

   • Min Tian

   Pages 135-173

7. The Effect of Displacement: Bertolt Brecht’s Interpretation and Refunctioning of Mei Lanfang’s Art

   • Min Tian

   Pages 175-213

8. Conclusion

   • Min Tian

   Pages 215-222

9. Back Matter

   Pages 223-298

   PDF

The first book-length study in any language of the presence and influence of Mei Lanfang, the internationally known Chinese actor who specialized in female roles on the twentieth-century international stage. Tian investigates Mei Lanfang's presence and influence and the transnational and intercultural appropriations of his art.

• Interpretation
• language
• stage
• theatre
• Tradition

"Tian's greatest strength is his ability to draw our attention to a balanced history with his comprehensive summary of conflicting views of Mei's tours ... Tian offers a rich paradigm of the multiple strategies that evolved in response to Chinese theatre's increasing visibility. There is much to enjoy in these thoroughly researched and critically argued chapters . . . This book is sure to provoke further discussion among all those who have an interest in the impact of Mei Lanfang on the international stage." - Comparative Drama

"The book's greatest strength lies not in detailing the cultural meanings performed on stage, but those perceived by experts in the audience below . . . this study of the astonishing transnational influence of an Asian genre of performance has filled in research blanks in performance history; the cultural histories of Japan, China, the United States and the Soviet Union; and cosmopolitanism in the arts. It is to be highly commended." - Modern Art Asia

"Tian's contributions to the ongoing exchange of views about [the history and future of xiqu] are most welcome, precisely because serious debate is best fed by questions rather than ready-made answers." - CHINOPERL Papers

". . .The research is extremely impressive: Tian has consulted archives in different languages and included materials first seen in English publication. The glossary for Chinese and Japanese terms and resources is also a treasure trove. . .Tian demonstrates that there is probably plenty to be uncovered if we keep digging; however, the mythologized, glorified, politicized, and historicized Mei Lanfang should probably be put to rest half a century after his passing. As traditional Chinese theater is barely holding on today, [we] look forward to reading Tian's investigation on contemporary Chinese opera." - The Journal of Asian Studies

MIN TIAN Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, USA.

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