ALUMNI BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH THEATRE: A CHINESE PERSPECTIVE
Growing up in a theatrical family, I was drawn to both the creative world of art and the analytical world of law. This internal conflict led me to study law in China, but a nudge from my parents and a memorable professor at Swansea University changed everything. My family owned a theatre company. At Swansea, Professor Beale introduced me to intellectual property trading platforms, sparking an idea: I could expand the company’s repertoire. Inspired, I secured licences to adapt over 20 Western productions, including Agatha Christie classics, for Chinese audiences. This sparked a trend; and more Chinese theatres began introducing Western plays and musicals. Captivated by these stories, audiences even travelled to London to see the originals. My journey felt like a practical contribution to cultural understanding between China and the UK. Western plays resonate well with Chinese audiences. Detective stories hold a special place. Although rooted in specific cultures, great plays like Shakespeare’s and Tang Xianzu’s transcend borders due to their universal themes and timeless human experiences.
THERE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGES; THE BIGGEST ONE IS ALWAYS TRANSLATION. IT MUST BE FAITHFUL, CLEAR, AND ELEGANT, CAPTURING THE AUTHOR’S INTENT WHILE CONNECTING WITH A NEW AUDIENCE.
Read the full interview on our website at swan.ac/renxiaozhang
22
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator