Drama Stories

Traditional drama involves the literature, music, dance, fine arts, martial art, acrobatics and factors of various kinds of performing art. Originated from working songs and dances in the pre-Qin period in 221 BC, it was brought onto the stage in the middle and later period of the Tang Dynasty(618-907), experienced impressive development in the Song Dynasty(960-1279), and became mature in the Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368). The poetic dramas of the Yuan Dynasty marked its maturity. Major representative writers inclued Guan Hanqing, Wang Shifu and Ma Zhiyuan. In the ensuing dynasties of the Ming(1368-1644) and Qing(1644-1911), the traditional Chinese drama flourished, with Kong Shangren, Thang Xianzu, Hong Sheng and some others churning out a lot of outstanding works, which still enjoy great popularity today.
All the six drama stories included in this book are renowned ones produced during the Yuan(1271-1368), Ming(1368-1644) and Qing(1644-1911) periods. They are expected to help readers gain some knowledge about the traditional Chinese drama.