At the invitation of Dr Yu Weijie, Dean of Department of Drama, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Prof Zhang Zhongnian of Shanghai Theatre Academy went to NAFA to direct William Shakespeare’s plays translated by Cao Yu for the graduating class of the Chinese language drama.
Romeo and Juliet is one of the most popular and most frequently staged plays of William Shakespeare. In the 1980s, both Mr Huang Zuolin and Prof Xu Qiping, famous directors of China, directed this play, winning rave reviews from the audience. Prof Lu Ang has also directed a simplified version of the play and took it to Romania for exchange performance.
The play directed by Prof Zhang Zhongnian emphasized on highlighting the fidelity, purity, warmth and sad beauty of love and adopted a simple and unadorned style of acting with reference to that of The Global Theatre in London. During the short period of just two months, the three groups of performers completed the rehearsals successfully with a high level of enthusiasm and proactive creative spirit. The six performances from 14 to 19 November attracted a large number of enthusiastic audience who were deeply moved by the play and spoke highly about it.
Prof Zhang Zhongnian visited NAFA for the first time in 2010 and directed a Spanish classic play. His second visit this time contributed further to the increased exchange and friendship between Shanghai Theatre Academy and NAFA.
