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Adopting a cultural materialist reading in the post-colonial context of Hong Kong, this book examines post-1997 Hong Kong Shakespeare that comments on the identity of the city through staging sinicized, aestheticized and socio-politicised versions of the plays. The introduction contextualizes Hong Kong’s position on the current intellectual map of Asian Shakespeare, arguing that Hong Kong Shakespeare should not be subsumed under the heading of Chinese Shakespeare. The book highlights six Shakespearean adaptations in Hong Kong staged after 1997, which include Richard Ho’s Hamlet: Sword of Vengeance, Tang Shu-wing’s Titus Andronicus 2.0 and Macbeth, Hardy Tsoi’s Julius Caesar and Shamshuipo Lear, and Jimmy Lee’s Post-The Taming of the Shrew. Sandwiched between the colonial and the postcolonial, Hong Kong Shakespeare generates an independent narrative through struggle and cultural negotiation.
Miriam Leung-che Lau is a lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, and specialises in performance studies. Previous book publications include Teaching Shakespeare to ESL Students (2017). She is co-organizing a Shakespeare Conference in Hong Kong in 2026, the first one ever in the city after the handover.
List of contents
Introduction.- Chapter 1: Contesting the concept of China Richard Hos Hamlet Sword of Vengeance in Postcolonial Hong Kong.- Chapter 2: Power and Performance Tang Shu wings Titus Andronicus 20 and Macbeth in Post Umbrella Movement Hong Kong.- Chapter 3: Appropriating Shakepeare to Explore Social Issues in Hong Kong Hardy Tsois Julius Caeasr and Shamshuipo Lear.- Chapter 4: Appropriating Shakespeare in the Context of Mainland China Hong Kong Relations Jimmy Lees Post The Taming of the Shrew.- Conclusion.
About the author
Miriam Leung-che Lau is a lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, and specialises in performance studies. Previous book publications include Teaching Shakespeare to ESL Students (2017). She is co-organizing a Shakespeare Conference in Hong Kong in 2026, the first one ever in the city after the handover.
Summary
Adopting a cultural materialist reading in the post-colonial context of Hong Kong, this book examines post-1997 Hong Kong Shakespeare that comments on the identity of the city through staging sinicized, aestheticized and socio-politicised versions of the plays. The introduction contextualizes Hong Kong’s position on the current intellectual map of Asian Shakespeare, arguing that Hong Kong Shakespeare should not be subsumed under the heading of Chinese Shakespeare. The book highlights six Shakespearean adaptations in Hong Kong staged after 1997, which include Richard Ho’s Hamlet: Sword of Vengeance, Tang Shu-wing’s Titus Andronicus 2.0 and Macbeth, Hardy Tsoi’s Julius Caesar and Shamshuipo Lear, and Jimmy Lee’s Post-The Taming of the Shrew. Sandwiched between the colonial and the postcolonial, Hong Kong Shakespeare generates an independent narrative through struggle and cultural negotiation.
