A STUDY OF THE ADAPTATION OF THE NOVEL DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER INTO STAGE WORKS IN CHINA IN THE EARLY TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Abstract

Dream of the Red Chamber《红楼梦》is one of the masterpieces of classical Chinese literature and has also demonstrated remarkable vitality in contemporary theatrical culture. Based on a survey of theatrical adaptations of the novel staged in China during the early twenty-first century, this article examines the current state and major developmental trends of such adaptations. The findings indicate that the tradition of adapting Dream of the Red Chamber within various forms of traditional Chinese opera (xiqu) has continued to develop, while adaptations have increasingly expanded into modern theatrical forms, including spoken drama, ballet, and musical theatre. The study thus contributes to mapping the landscape of these theatrical adaptations during this period and highlights the enduring appeal of this masterpiece within the literary and artistic life of East Asia.