This book investigates how the representation of China on the London stage evolved from early Orientalist caricatures to more complex forms of intercultural performance. Dongshin Chang, a scholar of theater and performance studies, utilizes a rigorous historical framework to analyze primary source materials, including playbills, scripts, and contemporary reviews. By examining specific productions from the 18th century through the early 20th century, the author argues that these performances reflect shifting British geopolitical attitudes and cultural anxieties regarding China.

Scholars in the field of theater history recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of cross-cultural representation. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's meticulous archival research.