The Other Shore


The Other Shore 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.

Interpretation

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, 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.

Performance space

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:

Translations