Abstract

This talk introduces the development of children’s theatre in China from the Song dynasty to the 21st century. What was children’s theatre like in ancient China if we take the concept in its broadest sense? How has it been developing along different stages and what have been the new trends and challenges of Chinese children’s theatre in the last ten years? This talk will explore the five stages of development of children’s theatre in China, illustrating the most representative repertory with pictures and videos where necessary.

Bio

Yaqiong Ma, a PhD candidate from Beijing Normal University, is currently a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge. She has published a book, “An Anthology of Chinese Children’s Dramatic Literature for Young Children (1911-2011)”, with Chongqing Publishing House. Her other research interests include the relationship between the views of children and children’s images in children’s literature, digital reading and internet literature for young adults, children’s prose and Western classic children’s literature. She volunteers in The China National Children’s Theatre where she helps to do interviews and writes reviews for the magazine of children’s theatre.