English file 5th edition pre-intermediate; workbook with key

by Christina Latham-Koenig et al.

used book, plays

Genres: Plays

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a nice old copy of the English translation of this play at Waterstones. It was one that I'd not heard of before so I bought it. The play was translated in the 30s by a Chinese playwright with the intention of it being able to be performed by English speaking actors. Just after I bought it I discovered that there is a lecture about it at SOAS so decided I better read it quite quickly.

I really liked the play. It had very strong women characters, even the mother who was the typical "Confucian" woman was strong and managed to save her son-in-laws life at the end by using her wits. It had women warriors and daughters who studied. It had all the things I like best about Chinese literature. The plot wasn't as good as some of the other more famous plays I've read but that might have been just because it was shortened down to fit for a production for one evening.

The edition that I read was a lovely little hardcover with woodcut illustrations from the Chinese text. These depicted the scenes as they really happened rather than as they appeared on stage. The translator also included lots of stage descriptions and character descriptions. But I still have a hard time picturing an English company performing the play.

I enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to the lecture.

[Carole888 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read this a long time ago and was pleased to find a copy to read again after all these years. It is based on Chinese tale but was translated in the 1930's into a play and performed for a British audience. It was very well received. It offers the audience love, war, treachery, loyalty, hardship, success, and is also very amusing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is more on the author SI Hsiung and the play here: https://youtu.be/Puui06qLi-4