Since 2005, Commercial Drama General Comedy Phenomenon Study

Commercial stageplays have been undergoing tremendous changes since the year 2005, when theatric market began to open up to the mass market in an overall fashion. One of the defining features in this surge is pan-comedization, embodied in both mounting numbers of comedies produced each year by increasing troupes and the insinuation of comedian spirit into commercial stageplays of all themes and forms, resulting in a comprehensive extension of the genre in its dennotation and application. This thesis is intended to make up for the contemporary absence of academic concern on this trend.Chapter 1 proposes a description of the dennotation and application of the phenomenon of pan-comedization. Chapter 2 analyzes the underlying motivations, including historical, cultural, operational as well as audience-responsive. Chapter 3 expatiates the aesthetic features of comedies under this current trend. Two aspects, namely the comic spirit led with parodying hoax and the form featured by postmodern mentality, are to be discussed in detail in the context of specific plays. Rules governing well received and fine plays are to be discussed as well. The concluding chapter proposes analysis on the effects of the trend and possible future development. Pan-comedization, a natural result of prosperous market and free competition, is in nature beneficial for the market-oriented reforms of theatre. However, simple repetitions stagnated at a low lever would pose harm to the market.