Snow in Midsummer is a contemporary re-imagining of one of the most famous classical Chinese dramas, and is the first production in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Chinese Translations Project, which aims to bring Chinese classics to a modern western audience.
Playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig and director Justin Audibert (The Jew of Malta, 2015) breathe new life into this ancient story, haunted by centuries of retelling.
Executed for a murder she did not commit, young widow Dou Yi vows that if she is innocent, snow will fall in midsummer and a catastrophic drought will strike. Three years later, a businesswoman visits the parched, locust-plagued town to take over an ailing factory. When her young daughter is tormented by an angry ghost, the new factory owner must expose the injustices Dou Yi suffered before the curse destroys every living thing.
Making her debut at the Royal Shakespeare Company is Katie Leung. Best known for her role as Cho Chang in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter film series, Leung has been cast as the lead character Dou Yi.
She is joined by Jacqueline Chan, Andrew Koji, Wendy Kweh, Sarah Lam, Andrew Leung, Jonathan Raggett, Richard Rees, Colin Ryan, Lucy Sheen, Kevin Shen and Daniel York.
Snow in Midsummer runs at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 2 to 25 March, with previews from 23 February.
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