Shakespearean Adaptations in East Asia

Co-published by Routledge and Edition Synapse.

The last decade has witnessed a rapid increase in serious research on ‘Shakespeare in Asia’, yet most readers of the many new monographs and journal articles on the subject have hitherto not enjoyed access to the plays discussed because they have not been readily available in English. Indeed, an authoritative collection of Asian Shakespeares has been long and eagerly awaited by many scholars and critics. This five-volume collection answers that need. It brings together newly prepared English translations of twenty-five Shakespearean adaptations and reworkings. Supplementing these new—previously unpublished—translations, each volume includes a separate critical introduction prepared for this collection by an expert volume editor, together with annotations. One or two photographs accompany each introduction to support and illustrate the discussion.

The collection showcases the variety and multiplicity of Shakespeares reinvented in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It provides the first substantial and essential resource of Shakespearean adaptations in East Asia for scholars and critics, as well as graduate students interested in investigating Shakespearean re-creations in the region. Along with the volume introductions, each adaptation is also prefaced by a succinct introduction with full consideration given to overview, performance history, and analysis. Hence, the collection will be a definitive entry point for all students and researchers interested in Asian theatres as well as Shakespeares in Asia.