What is it about?
Who would have thought that as far back as 1982, when the revival of contemporary Scottish theater was just beginning, Chinese scholars had already met John McGrath, a leading figure in Scottish theater, and introduced 7:84 (Scotland) and other early 20th-century Scottish playwrights and theater arts to both scholars and general readers in China? This exchange across cultures and geography not only highlighted the forward-thinking attention of Chinese scholars to global theater but also laid the foundation for dialogue between Chinese and Western theatrical cultures. Entering the new century, works by Scottish playwrights like Anthony Neilson, David Greig, and David Harrower were translated into Chinese and repeatedly staged in theaters in Beijing and Shanghai, bringing Chinese audiences closer to Scottish theater. These works, with their unique storytelling and sharp social critique, captivated audiences and inspired Chinese theater creators. On the academic front, contemporary Scottish writers such as Gregory Burke, Zinnie Harris, Catherine Czerkawska, Rona Munro, and Tim Barrow are reaching more Chinese readers through our research papers and teams. These studies not only enrich China’s theater research but also open a window for the general public to explore Scottish culture.
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Why is it important?
Our paper tells the fascinating story of how Scottish theater traveled to China over the past 40 years, creating a unique bridge between two very different cultures. In our research, we highlight how academic work has played a crucial role in this cultural exchange. Through our efforts, contemporary Scottish writers like Gregory Burke, Zinnie Harris, and Rona Munro have been studied and made accessible to more Chinese readers. This has helped deepen the understanding of Scottish culture in China and enriched Chinese theater studies. Our paper isn’t just about theater—it’s about how art can connect people across time and space. It’s a story of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration that will inspire both scholars and general readers to explore the power of theater in bringing the world closer together. The spread and study of Scottish theater in China is not just a cultural feast but also a cross-time-and-space conversation that sparks endless imagination and exploration of theatrical art.
Perspectives
While writing this paper, we discovered the profound connections between Scotland and China in terms of literary and cultural exchanges. In an era when the internet was not yet widespread and intercontinental travel was the norm, it was incredibly exciting to uncover so many translated works, introductory materials, and historical records. These findings not only filled us with awe for this rich exchange history but also inspired us to contribute our own efforts to the narrative of Scottish-Chinese theatrical interactions. While marveling at the achievements of earlier scholars, we also hope that our work can provide new roadmaps for future exchanges, ensuring that this cross-cultural and cross-geographical dialogue continues to thrive and inspire more people to explore and cherish the art of theater.
Dr. Qiang Eric LIU
Henan Normal University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Contemporary Scottish Drama in China, 1982–2022, February 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004723832_013.
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