Mao's cultural army : drama troupes in China's rural revolution / Brian James DeMare, Tulane University.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

DeMare, Brian James, author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in the history of the People's Republic of China

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Theater--China--History--20th century.

Theater.

Theater and society.

Theater--Political aspects.

History.

Amateur theater.

China.

Amateur theater--China--History--20th century.

Theater--Political aspects--China--History--20th century.

Theater and society--China.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xii, 257 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2015.

Summary:

"Charting their training, travels, and performances, this innovative study explores the role of the artists that roamed the Chinese countryside in support of Mao's communist revolution. DeMare traces the development of Mao's 'cultural army' from its genesis in Red Army propaganda teams to its full development as a largely civilian force composed of amateur and professional drama troupes in the early years of the PRC. Drawing from memoirs, artistic handbooks, and rare archival sources, Mao's Cultural Army uncovers the arduous and complex process of creating revolutionary dramas that would appeal to China's all-important rural audiences. The Communists strived for a disciplined cultural army to promote party policies, but audiences often shunned modern and didactic shows, and instead clamoured for traditional works. DeMare illustrates how drama troupes, caught between the party and their audiences, did their best to resist the ever growing reach of the PRC state"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Preface

Introduction: performing Mao's revolution

The revolution will be dramatized: Red drama troupes

Acting against Japan: drama troupes in North

Playing soldiers and peasants: civil war and agrarian reform

Staging rural revolution: land reform operas

State agents and local actors: cultural work in the early PRC

Peasants on stage: amateur actors in socialist China

Tradition in conflict: professional drama troupes and the PRC state

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781107076327

1107076323

OCLC:

897510462

Online:

Cover image