Table of Contents

Preface

1. The Dramatic Tradition

2. China's Regional Operas

3. Conventions

4. Heavenly Beings

5. Emperors And Their Ladies

6. Generals And Warriors

7. Scholars And Officials

8. Wealthy Families

9. Common Folk: Those Who Are Ruled

10. Religious

11. Outlaws

12. Ghosts

13. A Final Word

Appendices

A. English Guide to Photographs

B. Chinese Guide To Photgraphs Selected Bibliography Index

About the Author

Siu Wang-Ngai is a Fellow of the Royal PhotographicSociety of Great Britian and Chair of the Federation of Hong Kong-MacauPhotographic Association. He lives in Hong Kong, where he practiceslaw. Peter Lovrick has taught the History ofPerforming Arts in China at the University of Toronto's East AsianStudies department for the past several years. He also teaches fulltime at George Brown College's English and Liberal StudiesDepartment.

Reviews

The photographs ... are extraordinary theatrical records by any standards.... Siu has managed to capture the drama, colour and humanity of this theatre form. ... a remarkable book on Chinese opera... as well as being interesting to the converted, will also be an invaluable aide to newcomers to the theatre form ... laudably-straightforward language.
*The Review (Hong Kong), Sept. 6, 1997*

Lovrick and Hong Kong-based photographer Siu Wang Ngai effectively lift the curtain on the mysteries of this ancient and venerable artform in a lavishly-produced overview of its many conventions and styles.
*Vancouver Sun*

This is the ideal coffee-table book; gorgeous pictures with pithy text, providing an insight into not only the art, but the history, folklore and traditions of China.
*Globe & Mail*