Asian Theater

D

Myanmar (Burma)

The theater of Myanmar displays significant influences from India, China, and Tibet. Traditional beliefs also played a role in the development of theater. A major genre is a form of trance dance called nat pwe. It derives from the worship of “spirit wives,” who dance until they are possessed by one of 37 revered spirits, then speak while in trance. Zat pwe is Myanmar’s classical dance-drama with origins in Buddhism and legends. In zat pwe, actors who portray a prince, princess, and clown sing and dance while they oppose ogres and villains. Music defines the tone of each scene.

E

Vietnam

Vietnamese theater reflects the influence of China, which ruled the country for hundreds of years, starting in the 200s bc. Musical modes from India appeared in the 14th century. The influence of France, which colonized Vietnam in the 19th and early 20th centuries, is present to a lesser extent. Hat bôi (also called hat tuông), which originated in the 13th century, is a classical court opera derived from Chinese models. Muá rôi nuoc, which originated before the 12th century, is a form of puppetry found only in Vietnam. The puppets use the surface of a pond as their stage. A structure behind the pond-stage hides puppet masters, who manipulate puppets representing animals, humans, and mythological characters by means of a system of underwater, mechanized rods.

F

Philippines

The major performance genres of the Philippines have their origin in the traditions of Spain and the United States, both of which colonized the country. Komedya or moro-moro, which originated in the 17th century, is a folk drama that depicts Christians defeating the Moors. It is usually performed on saints’ days or at other religious festivals. Zarzuela or sarsuela are melodramatic operettas based on late 19th-century Spanish models. Troupes also perform Western-style spoken dramas in both English and Filipino.

V

Theater in South Asia

India has been the dominant theatrical presence in South Asia for centuries. Much of the theater of other South Asian countries has adapted or borrowed from forms originally developed in India.

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A

India

Scholars have identified and studied more than 50 major traditional theater genres in India. India also has a thriving modern theater, especially in prominent cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai (formerly Bombay), and Delhi.

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