SHAKESPEARE THROUGH ASIAN EYESPresented by Marian Haddrick

AFTER TODAY’S EXPERIENCE YOU COULD TAKE TWO APPROACHES TO YOUR CLASSROOM:

Investigate and create interpretations of Shakespeare

Investigate and explore Asian Storytelling techniques and apply them to Shakespeare

SOME OF THE OBJECTIVES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO CONSIDER ARE:

To encourage Asian Literacy’s in the English classroom.

To explore the universality of storytelling. To understand and explore the elements of

storytelling. To incorporate Asian storytelling techniques

in the English classroom. To investigate Asian theatre styles and how

they compare and compliment Western storytelling.

FREYTAG’S THEORY

ADAPTATIONS

ASIAN INTERPRETATIONS

ASIAN ADAPTATIONSAngoor (India, 1982), a Bollywood adaptation of The Comedy of Errors.Kannaki (India, 2002) is an adaptation of Antony and Cleopatra.The Bad Sleep Well (aka Warui yatsu hodo yoku nemuru) (Japan, 1960) directed by Akira Kurosawa, an adaptation of Hamlet.The Banquet, (China, 2006) directed by Feng Xiaogang, an adaptation of Hamlet.Ran (Japan, 1985) is an adaptation of King Lear directed by Akira Kurosawa.Throne of Blood (aka Cobweb Castle or Kumonosu-jo) (Japan, 1957), director Akira Kurosawa, an adaptation of Macbeth.Maqbool (India, 2004), directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, an adaptation of Macbeth.Kaliyattam (India, 1997) directed by Jayaraaj, an adaptation of Othello.Omkara (India, 2006) directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, an adaptation of Othello.

SHAKESPEARE IN ASIA

The earliest performance in Japan was a Kabuki interpretation of The Merchant of Venice in 1885.

1903- a Japanese production of King Lear. Akira Kurosawa pioneered Shakespeare in

Japanese film and used Kabuki and Noh techniques and design in his films (1950’s-60’s)

The Shakespeare Association of Japan formed in 1962.

Tokyo had a replica of The Globe Theatre. 2006, Yukio Ninagawa directs Titus Andronicus

at the RSC.

Countries of Asia

CONSIDER THIS QUOTE BY JATINDA VERMER …

“Shakespeare is strong on class structures and hierarchies, but these hierarchies have

broken down in England. In Asia we still have these strong hierarchies. I’d say the best way

to do Shakespeare and be true to him is through Asian eyes.”

CHINESE - XIQU

JAPANESE- KYOGEN

JAPANESE- KABUKI

INDIAN- KATHAKALI

Asian Storytelling Shakespeare’s Storytelling

Court Jester (Kyogen) The Fool- TimonThe Fool- King LearFesteTouchstoneLavatch

Folklore (Kabuki, Xiqu, Kathakali) Fairies- A Midsummer Nights Dream Mention of Interventionist GodsMonarchical Hierarchies

Dance and Song (Kabuki, Xiqu, Kathakali)

A Midsummer Nights Dream, As You like it, Twelfth Night (The Comedies etc)

Physical Theatre and Martial Arts (Xiqu, Kyogen)

Romeo and Juliet- the swordplayMacBethA Midsummer Nights Dream

Epic Historical retellings (Kathakali) Antony and Cleopatra, Titus Andronicus, Julius Cesar, King Lear etc

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