Foreign Shakespeare - Contemporary Performance (Hardcover)

Shakespeare has long been considered the preeminent poet and dramatist of the English-speaking world. Shakespearean criticism has been largely Anglo-centered, stressing his mastery of the English language; even commentary on performance has normally assumed the original English text as the basis of judgment. But although Shakespeare is the most frequently performed playwright in the world, little attention has been paid to theatrical production of his plays outside the English language. This is the first collection to offer a considered account of contemporary Shakespeare performance in non-English-speaking theatres. Most of the essays focus on Europe, some on Asia. They investigate text and translation theory, the significance of the visual, divergent strategies of acting, directing, and of audience culture, intercultural performance, political appropriation and dissent. Dennis Kennedy introduces the topic within the context of postwar performance, and his Afterword suggests how foreign productions challenge Anglocentric standards of Shakespeare interpretation.