Chinese Opera : Images and Stories

Siu Wang-Ngai with Peter Lovrick
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…This book is meant for many people. Devotees of the theatre, east or west, will find Siu Wang-Ngai's photographs a delight. They make the Chinese approach to drama concrete and vivid. The accompanying text gives these readers further access to this performance tradition by explaining the dramatic conventions and the stories. Those with a passion for China can use the photographs and text as an entry into traditional Chinese society, which still lives on the opera stage. The plays and commentary give them an intimate look at the lives of emperors, scholars, generals, common folk, and outlaws. Finally, this book is meant for all those who enjoy a good story. Chinese opera has a rich repertoire drawn from history, legends, myths, folk tales, and classic novels. These stories are full of colourful characters and surprising turns. It is not necessary to be interested in the Chinese dramatic tradition to sit back, like the Chinese audience of a regional opera, and enjoy a good yarn. Siu Wang-Ngai's record of regional opera performance makes these yarns come alive.
(Excerpt from the Preface)