The three-in-one role of scholar-retranslator-director: staging classic Chinese operas for English theatre

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines the English retranslation and public performance of two classic Chinese operas—The West Wing and The White Snake. It highlights two aspects: First, these retranslations of the dramas aim at reaching their target theatres and audiences rather than publications and readers. Second, these stage productions were each conducted by a three-in-one specialist who acts as a scholar, translator, and director. Departing occasionally from semantic accuracy for dramatic viability and performance logistics, the retranslator focuses on effective sensual transmission, engendering novel interaction between these age-old plays and modern audiences. This paper investigates the performance texts and stage mediations from the perspective of functional retranslation. It contextualises the two plays in their native setting, traces the retranslators’ intent, and provides case studies to accentuate the significant role of theatre retranslators in their moves toward achieving stage realisation.