In September of this year, after fierce competition and rigorous rehearsals, Wuhan University’s representative team triumphed in the University English Division of the 2nd ‘Youlin Cup (Youlinyouke)’ Shakespeare Student Drama Festival, securing the coveted first prize. Additionally, Li Sirui, a student from the class of 2021 at the School of Foreign Languages and Literature, won the Best Actress award in her category and earned a valuable opportunity to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare.

Wuhan University team at the ‘Youlin Cup’ award scene

On November 2, Wuhan University’s drama team embarked on a ‘Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu Performance Journey’led by Professor Dai Danni, an associate professor from the English Department of the School of Foreign Languages and Literature at Wuhan University, deputy secretary general of the Shakespeare Studies Branch of the China Foreign Literature Association, and chief planner of the ‘Youlin Cup’ Shakespeare Drama Festival. The delegation, which included Wuhan University’s team as well as experts and scholars from Peking University and other Chinese institutions, traveled to the United Kingdom for a week-long Sino-British exchange event celebrating the works of Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu.

Wuhan University’s team was set to perform a unique Shakespearean version of The Peony Pavilion in Shakespeare’s hometown. The play, reimagined by Professor Huang Bikang from the English Department at Peking University, offers a fresh interpretation of Tang Xianzu’s Ming Dynasty masterpiece. Adapted to Shakespearean English with a poetic flair, the result is an 80-minute, five-act English poetic drama titled Dreamlike Love in The Peony Pavilion.

In this performance, Li Sirui took on the pivotal role of Chunxiang, a character central to the play who weaves together its various plotlines. Under the direction of Chinese director Yan Chang and British director Emily Snyder, the production adopted a staged-reading format, offering the audience a fresh and distinctive theatrical experience. Despite having only a day and a half for on-site rehearsals, the Chinese and British actors delivered an impressive performance, showcasing seamless collaboration and bringing this innovative, avant-garde production to life under the directors’ expert guidance.

A photo of the Sino-British team

The performance mesmerized the local audience with its captivating recitations, dynamic stage movements, and the seamless blend of tragic and comic elements delivered by the Chinese and British actors. This cross-cultural collaboration not only highlighted the artistic talents of performers from both nations but also embodied a meaningful exchange of Sino-Western dramatic traditions and aesthetics. Professor Mike Dobson, director of the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham, lauded the production, praising it for “showcasing the unique charm of Shakespearean poetry and Chinese drama.”

The Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu Performance Journey was more than an artistic endeavor—it was a vibrant cultural exchange and a testament to the enduring legacy of both traditions. With their talent and passion, Wuhan University’s team showcased the richness and vitality of Chinese culture on an international stage, fostering deeper appreciation and understanding while injecting fresh energy into Sino-British cultural exchanges.

Rewritten by Ruan Yawen