Contents: 1 Introduction: Modernization of Asian Theatres / Yasushi NAGATA and Ravi CHATURVEDI Part I Process of Asian Theatre Modernization 2 Relevant Figures at the Early Stage of the Modernization of Japanese Theatre / Mitsuya MORI 3 The Modernization of Korean Theatre Through the Reception of Western Realism / Meewon LEE 4 Movement of the Western Modern Drama in Taiwan and Its Modernity / Kun-Liang CHIU 5 Staging Reality: Premodern Drama in China at the Turn of the Twentieth Century / Gilbert FONG and Shelby K. Y. CHAN 6 The Modernization of Malay Theatre: From the Makeshift Stages of the Bangsal to the Proscenium Stage / Solehah ISHAK 7 Metamorphosis: “Modernity” on Stage – The Formation of the Chinese Spoken Drama in Singapore (1913–1937) / YU Weijie 8 Modernization Re(ad)dressed in Indian Theatre / Ravi CHATURVEDI Part II Problematics of Asian Theatre Tradition 9 Representation of Chinese and Western Classics: 108 Heroes and Measure for Measure in Taiwan / Iris Hsin-chun TUAN 10 The Translation and Reception of Eugene Labiche’s Plays in Modern China / LO Shih-Lung 11 The Modernization of Chinese Xiqu with a Case Study of Major Kunqu Productions in Mainland China, 2001–2013 / YANG Ming 12 On the Modernity of Chinese Drama Through the Perspective of Perception from Gao Xingjian’s Dramas / Yingying XIAO 13 From Traditional to Contemporary: Genealogy of Kumiodori in Modern Okinawan Theatre Called “Okinawa shibai” / Shoko YONAHA 14 Bangsawan (1870–1940): An Analysis of Modern Performance Elements and Its Role as Transitional Link Between Traditional Malay Theatre and Modern Malaysian Drama / Zainal Abd LATIFF and Gan Eng CHENG 15 Assimilation of Asia: On Okawa’s Revenge and Nayotake / Yasushi NAGATA This volume focuses on the theatre history of Asian countries and discusses the specific context of theatre modernization in Asia. While Asian theatre is one of the primary interests within theatre scholarship in the world today, knowledge of Asian theatre history is very limited and often surprisingly incorrect. Therefore, this volume addresses a major gap in contemporary theatre studies. The volume discusses the conflict between tradition and modernity in theatre, suggesting that the problems of modernity are closely related to the idea of tradition. Although Asian countries preserved the traditional form and values of their respective theatres, they also had to confront the newly introduced values or mechanisms of European modernity. Several papers in this volume, therefore provide critical surveys of the history of theatre modernization in Asian countries or regions – Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore. Other papers focus on specific case studies of the history of modernization, discussing contemporary Taiwanese performances, translations of modern French comedy into Chinese, the modernization of Chinese Xiqu, modern Okinawan plays, Malaysian traditional performances, Korean national theatre, and Japanese plays during World War II. Renowned academics and theatre critics have contributed to this volume, making it a valuable resource for researchers and students of theatre studies, literature, and cultural studies.