Conclusion

Abstract

China’s role in world affairs is greater now, in many ways, than at any time since the days of the Silk Road, yet popular awareness in Western societies about Chinese people and culture remains sadly lacking and characterized by a few outdated stereotypes. For example, few people know that a modern Chinese theatre exists beyond certain clichéd images of “Peking Opera.” The11 chapters in this book hope to present readers with the true vibrancy of Chinese drama in the twenty-first century. Theatre functions as not only a microcosm of the real world, but also an active interpretation of it. It has the power to create and disseminate knowledge and ideas and to influence people’s perception of the world. While the revolution in communications technology has dramatically shortened geographical distances and has even made different parts of the world into a global village, it has ironically exacerbated the individual’s sense of alienation from contemporary society because people increasingly isolate themselves in cyberspace behind the screens of their electronic devices. It is the theatre that still possesses the vital capacity to draw people together physically and emotionally in the actual world.