China on Stage by Lois Wheeler Snow (review)

Abstract

104 BOOK REVIEWS theatre. A less than enthusiastic judgment is passed on the Nietschean overtones of Jacinto Grau's heroes and a comparison is drawn between certain aspects of his theatre and the Swiss playwright Diirrenmatt. Finally in this group, the youthful experiments of Gomez de la Serna are discussed along with the failure of Azorin to realize his hopes of renovation of the Spanish stage. The second part of this important study comprises the writers of the period between the 1920's and the present. Naturally, Lorca occupies an important place here and not the least of Ruiz Ramon's contributions is his attempt to extract the authentic reality of this author's work from the encrusted shell of the myths that surround it. Both the political and poetic aspects of Alberti's work are reviewed while due consideration is given to the phenomenon of what the author terms the "theatre of redemption" of Salinas. One of the most impressive facets of this book is the ability of Ruiz Ramon to impart a feeling of continuity to the development of the Spanish drama of this period. Apparently disparate elements such as post-civil war comedy and the theatre of protest are given cohesive form. The study closes with a list of names of those who are seeking new means of dramatic expression and to whom,it is hoped, it will be necessary to devote a new chapter in the future. This hope is tempered by doubt when such instances as the long-buried theatre of Valle-Inclan, to cite only one example, come to mind. Ruiz Ramon has combined a comprehensive outlook, penetrating analysis and sometimes unorthodox, but always sound, critical judgment to his survey of this area of contemporary Spanish art. T.B. BARCLAY University of Toronto CHINA ON STAGE, by Lois Wheeler Snow. New York and Toronto: Random House, Inc., 1972. xv & 328 pp. $10.00. The memories of Lois Snow's five month visit to China in 1970 provide the basis for her discussion of theatre in contemporary China, but the subtitle of her book, "An American Actress in the People's Republic," and the prefacing quotation from Mao Tse-tung's Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art suggest the two major points of view of the author. Her reputation as an "American Actress" places her in minor roles twenty-five or more years ago rather slight evidence for the impression intended by her publisher. For the China scholar, her position as the wife of Edgar Snow, highly respected writer on modern China, would carry more significance, but the publisher's attempt to capitalize on the reputation of another does not alter the work itself. The fact that the author was an American actress does not help her understand the Chinese theatre; the fact that she was Edgar Snow's wife does not give her his background, his understanding, or his balance in writing about contemporary China. While China On Stage has definite if limited value, it does not BOOK REVIEWS 105 present a clear picture of contemporary Chinese theatre, nor does it attempt an unbiased assessment of either China or its theatre. China On Stage includes an introductory essay entitled "Reversing History," the texts of three Model Peking Operas - Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, Shachaipang, and The Red Lantern - introductory essays for each of the operas plus one entitled "For Whom?," the text of a Model Revolutionary ballet, Red Detachment of Women, with a brief essay, and a concluding essay entitled "Do-It-Yourself Theatre." There are also twentyfour photographs and a brief glossary of Chinese theatre and dance terms which, unfortunately, has many wrong interpretations. The inside covers of the book might also be mentioned, for they contain a map of China with the place locations of the plays included in the text properly marked. The three operas and the ballet have been available through the Peking Foreign Languages Press and are numbered among the eight model stage entertainments determined by Chiang Ching, Mao's wife, during the Cultural Revolution. There are two more Model Peking Operas - On the Docks and Raid on the White Tiger Regiment - a ballet of The White...