Bi An
| The Other Shore | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Gao Xingjian |
| Original language |
Chinese, tr. by G. C. Fong |
| Genre |
Symbolism Chinese Drama |
| Setting | "From the real world to the non-existent other shore" |
The Other Shore (Chinese: ; pinyin: bǐ'àn; untoned Bi An; previously translated The Other Side) is a play by the Chinese writer Gao Xingjian. It was first published into English in 1997 and translated again in 1999.
One of the most controversial and important plays in contemporary Chinese drama, its intended premiere under the direction of Lin Zhaohua at the Beijing People's Art Theatre had its production shut down by the Chinese government before it reached performances. The playwright proceeded to direct productions of the play at the Taiwan National College of Art in 1990 and at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 1995.
Although The Other Shore has been performed internationally, much of the meaning of the play is dependent on specifically Chinese cultural concepts. The title is a literary way of saying "the opposite bank of a river", but also refers to an element of Buddhism known as paramita (the "perfection" of a virtue), this "other shore" representing a state of enlightenment which everyone wants to reach. However, Gao's philosophy specifically inverts this hopeful worldview by proclaiming in his opening stage directions that the action takes place on "the non-existent other shore". The illusion of enlightenment is not to be reached by play's end (or at least, not the enlightenment that was sought).
The Other Shore is also notable for its performance space requirements. Most likely influenced by the French Avant Garde movement, with which Gao was familiar, the playscript states that:
The play can be performed in a theatre, a living room, a rehearsal room, an empty warehouse, a gymnasium, the hall of a temple, a circus tent, or any empty space as long as the necessary lighting and sound equipment can be properly installed. Lighting can be dispensed with if the play is performed during the day. The actors may be among the audience, or the audience among the actors. The two situations are the same and will not make any difference to the play.
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