CHINESE XIQU THEATER ON THE PAGES OF DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER: THE PHENOMENON OF “HOME THEATER” IN THE QING PERIOD

Abstract

The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin, being the pinnacle of Chinese classical literature, has been studied and commented on for several centuries. Being a recognized encyclopedia of old Chinese life, this novel provides the reader with numerous information about various aspects of the life of the aristocracy of Qing China. The theme of the theatre is one of the most interesting aspects of traditional culture, reflected in the pages of “Hongloumen”. The novel provides information about the peculiarities of the social status of actors, the composition of theatre troupes and their varieties, repertoire, the ways of organization of performances, the management system of troupes, etc. There are not so many “opera scenes” in the Dream of the Red Chamber, but they cover a wide range of the existence of musical drama. Based on this information, it is possible to identify the specifics of “house troupes” in the Qing period, to consider the role, functions and influence of opera productions on the characters of the novel, to trace the fate of the actors. The novel Dream of the Red Chamber is an inexhaustible source of knowledge about the traditions and cultural features of imperial China.