Love and Shakespeare

Theater director Tian Qinxin continues her exploration on the subject of love in her latest adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Jiang Dong / China Daily

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Tian's connection with Shakespeare dates back to 1993 when she visited Stratford-upon-Avon, the great writer's birthplace, for the first time. In a time when even fish and chips were a luxury to Chinese tourists, she spent 7 pounds ($12) on a Shakespearean statue, which became an inspiration to encourage her to pursue drama.

Her first adaptation of Shakespeare was King Lear. Titled Things That Happened in the Ming Dynasty, the adaptation places the classic story of a king who goes mad after dividing his estate between two of his three daughters, into the royal chamber of a turbulent Chinese dynasty.

As a "Chinese cake" presented to Shakespeare on the bard's 450th birthday, Tian says without revealing many details that Romeo and Juliet will find a way to localize. For example, based on the translations of Zhu Shenghao (1912-44), arguably China's most recognized and appreciated Shakespearean translator, the play will change some of the literary lines into more down-to-earth and up-to-date dialogue.

"We want Shakespeare to truly land in China. We will speak the words inside his heart in our own way," she says.

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