Histrionic Ceremonies and Beliefs--Compilation and Collation of Chinese Traditional Sample-play Scripts (Chinese Edition)

Sample-play means the playlet with ceremonial functions performed before the formal show of traditional Chinese drama. As a distinctive convention in Chinese traditional drama, it aims to communicate with the immortal so as to satisfy the religious needs of the common people. There is no necessary link between the sample-play and the formal play, but the sample-play should be harmonious with the formal occasion. The author selects 230 plays from over 500 sample-plays that he has collected for many years. He classifies them into the following categories: blessing, birthday celebration, life rituals, achievement and honor, other happy celebrations, and exorcism, etc.