National Theatre of China's Romeo and Juliet and Its Rituals

Authors

  • Benny Lim Chinese University of Hong Kong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v3i3.400

Keywords:

Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare, National Theatre of China, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Tian Qinxin

Abstract

This paper explores the “Chinese-ness” of this brand new production of Romeo and Juliet by the National Theatre of China, from a ritual perspective. Three main areas were discussed. Firstly, this play has got several religious connotations. The absence of religion in this play’s setting is relevant to China’s current high percentage of atheists. Despite that, several religions, such as Buddhism, Daoism and Christianity, are mentioned in this play. Secondly, the play has also incorporated several Chinese culture and traditions. The use of bicycles as one of the main props can be linked to the cultural significance of bicycles in China. The play also incorporated other cultural and traditional elements such as wedding customaries in China, Xinjiang dance, as well as the Chinese tongue twisters. Finally, the play has incorporated multiple Brechtian moments. Perhaps the Brechtian moments can lead audience to think about the current religious and cultural developments in modern China. 

Author Biography

  • Benny Lim, Chinese University of Hong Kong

    Lecturer,

    Department of Cultural and Religious Studies,

    Faculty of Arts,

    Chinese University of Hong Kong 

References

Alexander, B. (1991). Victor Turner revisited: Ritual as social change. Scholars Press.

McClelland, N. (2010). Encyclopedia of Reincarnation and Karma. In McFarland, . 62-115.

Drilling, P. (2006). Premodern Faith in a Postmodern Culture: A Contemporary Theology of the Trinity. Rowman & Littlefield.

Duys, K.A. (2007). Medieval Literary Performance: Gautier de Coinci’s Guide for the Perplexed. In Postlewate & Hüsken, Acts and Texts Performance and Ritual in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Editions Rodopi B.V..

Eller, J.D. (2007). Introducing Anthropology of Religion: Culture to the Ultimate. Routledge.

Erikson, E. (1996). The Development of Ritualization." In Ronald Grimes (ed.), Readings in Ritual Studies. Prentice Hall. 201-211.

Fu, Z. (1993). Autocratic Tradition and Chinese Politics. Cambridge University Press.

Gester, D.G. (2008). Thespis: Ritual, Myth and Drama in the Ancient Near East. Schuman.

Howe, L. (2000). Risk, Ritual and Performance. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute. Vol. 6(1). Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 63-79.

Inch, J. (2012). China’s Economic Supertrends: How China is Changing from the Inside Out to Become the World’s Next Economic Superpower. InChina Publishing.

Khan, D.Q. (1989). Muraqqaʻ-e-Delhi: The Mughal Capital in Muhammad Shah's Time. Deputy Publication.

Knauner, E. (2006). The Queen Mother of the West – The Study of the Influence of Western Prototypes on the Iconography of the Taoist Deity. In Mair, Contact and Exchange in the Ancient World. University of Hawaii Press. 62-115.

Lawrance, A. (2004). China Since 1919: Revolution and Reform: a Sourcebook. Psychology Press.

Leavitt, S.R. (2007). Persuasion, Coercion, and Neglect: Understanding State Policy and the Mobilization of Muslim Minorities in Asia. ProQuest.

Li, X. & Li, L. (1996). Land Use And Transport Planning in China. In Stares & Liu, China's Urban Transport Development Strategy. World Bank Publications.

Malekpour, J. (2004). The Islamic Drama. Frank Cass Publishers.

McGowan, D. (2013). Atheism For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.

Montgomerie, W. (1956). Folk Play and Ritual in "Hamlet". Folklore. Vol. 67(4). Taylor & Francis. 214 – 227.

Nally, C. (2010). Envisioning Ireland: W.B. Yeats's Occult Nationalism. Peter Lang.

Nieuwkerk, K. (2011). Muslim Rap, Halal Soaps, and Revolutionary Theater: Artistic Developments in the Muslim World. University of Texas Press.

Osnes, B. (2001). Acting: An International Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO.

Sanderman, P. (2014). 2018: An Uncivil War. AuthorHouse.

Vervain, C. (2012). Performing Ancient Drama in Mask: the Case of Greek Tragedy. New Theatre Quarterly. Vol. 28(2). Cambridge Journals. 163-181.

Woo, E. (2008). Buddhism: The Big Picture Explained. iUniverse. AuthorHouse.

Downloads

Published

2014-04-02

Issue

Section

Article

Similar Articles

1-10 of 357

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.