Preliminary Investigation On Architecture And Acoustics Of The Traditional Theatres Of Shanxi Province

Chinese traditional theaters are important places for religious, traditional and entertainment activities of ancient people. They were frequently used by ancient people, and they contain various culture meanings like feudalism, religion, arts and custom. Chinese traditional theaters developed and flourished with the outcome and popularity of Chinese opera and drama. Chinese traditional theaters, not including late performing gardens, are often related to other buildings like temples, religious buildings and business buildings, so the forming and development of theater stages are closely related to theater cultural, religious and artistic environment.Chinese opera and drama of Shanxi were greatly developed, for Shanxi province has a long history and profound culture, and for the existence of many famous artists. The profound opera and drama culture flourished the traditional theaters, which are various in types and they are distributed widely within Shanxi. They are legacies for Chinese traditional buildings, for they not only provided spaces for religious and entertainment activities, but also were spaces of traditional social gathering and communication. Shanxi traditional theaters can be connections for cultures of different areas. On space type and decoration forms, Shanxi traditional theater stages have very special characteristics, and they played a very important role in people's everyday life, so they are essential parts for performing buildings of ancient China.This paper study Shanxi traditional theaters by investigating theater documents and existent theater buildings. By using the results concluded by others subjects, this paper discuss the origin, development and transform of Shanxi traditional theaters. The existent theaters are also investigated on their building forms, and space characteristics, and the connection between traditional opera and drama, religion, culture and theater buildings are discussed. The simulation models established by the software RAYNOISE are used to investigate the sound characteristics of traditional theaters, so some sound characteristics can be revealed in details.The purpose of this paper is mainly on a good understanding of forms and characteristics of Shanxi traditional theater buildings, based on which social activities within such theaters are investigated. The building and social characteristics of traditional theaters in Shanxi are investigated, which can be helpful for a better understanding of traditional theater buildings, and for the protection and theater buildings. The investigation results can provide valuable protecting and repairing information, and can be practical cases for studying sound environment of traditional theaters.