Nuo Masks Reshaping Cultural Imagery in Physical Theatre: A Study of ‘Luocha Land’ by the National Theatre of China (2016)

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Nuo Masks are a core element of Nuo Opera, combining religious ritual and distinctive artistic expression. In contemporary China, the fusion of traditional and modern theatrical styles has become a significant trend. Luocha Land (2016), produced by the National Theatre of China and directed by Zhao Miao, integrates Nuo Masks with physical theatre to create an intercultural theatrical work. This study analyzes the specific ways in which Nuo Masks reconstruct cultural imagery in an intercultural context and examines their implications for the international dissemination of contemporary Chinese theatre. Drawing on theatrical semiotics as its theoretical framework, this study employs content analysis and semi-structured interviews to examine the visual characteristics, material properties, and interactive relationship between the Nuo Masks and actors’ body performances. The findings reveal that Nuo Masks have undergone a transformation from traditional ritual symbols to contemporary theatrical icons, reshaping three core cultural imageries: (1) as a physical symbol of cultural internalization, reflecting the coercive nature of acculturation; (2) as a visible medium of identity transformation, externalizing the process of identity change; and (3) as a channel for cross-cultural empathy, revealing universal emotions that transcend cultural differences. These insights offer effective pathways for the international dissemination of traditional Chinese theatrical art and contribute to the broader discourse on intercultural performance practice.