Shadow puppetry emerged as the first recognized type of theatre in China. These was during the Han Dynasty under the rule of Empress Ping. There were two forms of shadow puppetry: Contonese (southern) and Pekingese (northern). The two types differed int he way the puttpets were made and the positioning of rods on the puppets. Both styles had plays that dipicted great adventure and fantasy.
Tradition stated that if the heads were left on the puppets when not being used in a performance, that the puppets would ceom alive. Because of this, the heads of the puppets were always removed. Puppeteers would even store the bodies and the heads in different storage containers. Shadow puppetry became a tool of the government sometime after its height in the seventh century.
By the end of the Tang Dynasty in 700 A.D., the elements of Chinese opera had been established. In 714 A.D. Xuanzong, better known as Minghuang, started the Pear Garden Academy. Music, singing, and dance were all taught. Both men and women were taught at the academy, which helped contribute to the talent found in Chinese theatre.
Chinese theatre continue to grow between the 11th adn 13th centuries. While there were military campaigns that tore the country apart, theatre grew. Theatrical performances took place in order to entertain the troops. By the end of the 13th century, it was common for tourists to find theatrical entertainment in structures called Washi that were created specifically for the purpose of entertainment. Some of the names of the Washi included the character "lou." This meant that it was a high-storied building. In this building, the audience would follow the events on stage up through the different storeys of the building.
During this time, the Nanxi plays also were developed. These had ideal heros and heroines. The heros would be handsome bookworms and the heroines would be young and virtulous. The first Nanxi play sthat still have a complete llibretto for is "Top Graduate Zhang Xie." Then from 1271-1368 A.D. Chinese playwrights started to emerge. Drama was the leading form of literary expression at that time.
There is evidence that the Chinese Opera started developing as early as the 15th century, although it is thought it didn't truly start developing until the 17th century. Sometime around the 18th century, Chinese opera started to have a more sophisticated form. It wound have a four or five act structure. This structure can still be seen to this day at the Peking Opera.
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