Femininity and Beyond: The Female Perspective and All-female Yue Opera

Abstract

Yue Opera, a prominent genre in Chinese theater, originating in Zhejiang and thriving in Shanghai, stands out for its unique characteristic: almost all roles are portrayed by female performers. This tradition, rooted in ancient China, endures today, primarily featuring women in male roles. Throughout its history, Yue Opera has undergone transformations, notably the "New Yue Opera" period in the 1940s and a reshaping in the 1950s due to national reform. A distinctive aspect is the portrayal of female characters, depicting their multifaceted lives, resilience, and tenderness. Yue Opera's portrayal of gender roles reflects evolving societal ideologies, making it a lens into changing gender consciousness. This research explores Yue Opera's development, its impact on women's images across historical periods, and its connection to women's self-consciousness.