Lecture by Prof. Dr. Dr. Lü Xiaoping in the 38th talk of the “Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series”
On January 23, 2025, the 38th session of the "Tan Lark Sye International Lecture Series" was successfully held at New Era University College. Jointly organized by the International Education Institute and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, this lecture featured renowned Professor Dr. Lü Xiaoping from the School of Liberal Arts at Nanjing University as the speaker. The event attracted a large audience of faculty and students. The lecture focused on the relationship between Eastern and Western drama, with Professor Dr. Lü providing an insightful exploration of their similarities and differences.
Professor Dr. Lü began by referencing Hegel’s early 19th-century assertion that “in the East, only among the Chinese and Indians is there a budding form of drama.” He questioned the accuracy of this view and illustrated his argument with examples of prominent Chinese dramatists, such as Guan Hanqing from the 13th century and Tang Xianzu, a contemporary of Shakespeare. These examples highlighted the rich history and profound heritage of Eastern drama. Dr. Lü also noted that when Voltaire adapted The Orphan of Zhao in the 18th century, he regarded the work as a monumental achievement, surpassing many French works of the same period in depth and artistic merit. This, he argued, further underscores the unique charm of Eastern drama.
During the lecture, Professor Dr. Lü distinguished between the concepts of "theatre" and "drama" and delved into the essential characteristics of drama. He explained that the emergence of dramatic art in Europe was rooted in the rise of rationalism and individualism. Under the influence of these ideals, confidence in human reason provided a foundation for the development of drama, enabling it to become a powerful medium for expressing personal emotions and thoughts.
Professor Dr. Lü also highly praised Malaysian theatrical works. He lauded the work Merah directed by Seng Soo Ming and Three Children from Petaling Street directed by Ho Shih Phin, head of the Department of Drama and Visuals at New Era University College, as exemplary works of theatrical art and representative pieces of Malaysian drama. These two productions, focusing on themes of tragic realism and Chinese identity, demonstrate profound humanistic care and social reflection.
Professor Dr. Lü’s lecture was rich in content and full of unique insights, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. The lecture not only deepened participants’ understanding of the relationship between Eastern and Western drama but also provided new perspectives and ideas for promoting cultural exchange between East and West. It is believed that the interplay and integration of Eastern and Western drama will continue to shine with even greater brilliance in the future.
