Critical Stages (Dec 2018)
The Adaptation of Shakespeare into Chinese Xiqu
Abstract
Chinese Xiqu, as a highly stylized and mature theatre form, has its own unique story-telling ways, acting style and vocal techniques. Its aesthetic is completely different from that of Western theatre. From the late nineteenth century, Western plays, with their respective theatre styles, were introduced into China and even raised a wave among Chinese citizens, especially young students. Different from the other Western plays introduced into China—for example, Ibsen’s—Shakespearean plays also attracted many artists of Chinese traditional theatre. Hence, many Shakespeare plays were adapted into Chinese Xiqu. Since then, the adaptation of Shakespearean plays has become an interesting cultural phenomenon. The article gives a panoramic view of the phenomenon and tries to analyze the intercultural and political reasons for it.
