Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Artwork Introduction

Tainaner Ensemble’s “Shakespeare Unplugged 3 – Macbeth” took place June 2007 at Tainaner’s Working Space. “Shakespeare Unplugged” is a series of adaptations of Shakespeare begun in 2004 with their first production being “Romeo and Juliet” and their latest “Macbeth.” Even though the basis of the play is Shakespeare, many Taiwanese elements can be found in renowned poet Chou Din Ban’s rhythmic translation of “Macbeth.” Chou captured the essence and form of Shakespeare, while making the language and expressions relevant to a Taiwanese audience.

Staging included masks and the creation of a spooky ambience to evoke the mystery and horror of this macabre play that contains witches and murder. The stage setting was minimal, yet dramatically theatrical. By using four translucent doors and an array of simple props, the various locations such as the mysterious dark woods, the dining hall and Lady Macbeth’s chamber were easily denoted. Instead of using a complicated stage setting of numerous scene changes, the story was carried through by the strong acting of the performers and the beautiful words they spoke.

“Shakespeare Unplugged 3─Macbeth” has been performed in Tainan, Taipei, and the international theatre festival in Avignon, France. The Ensemble has won praise for its outstanding performances of the lead actors Tsai Pao Chang and Yaw Kun Jun, who gave emotional depth to the troubled and tragic couple, and for the stunning visual and aural mixture of text, music, imagery and actions.

The collaboration between Taiwan’s most seasoned actors, who became actors in residence, infused the performance with a realistic acting style that penetrated the deep psychological truths of Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy and helped strengthen the experience for both the Ensemble and the audience.

About the Artist

Tainaner Ensemble was founded in 1987 in Tainan and is an important cultural development for southern Taiwan. Lu Po-shen, artistic director since 2003, has been collaborating with poet Chou Din Ban to translate the Western classics into Taiwanese, as a way to reclaim their native language and to help undo any negative stereotypes. So far, they have completed five productions: “Antigone,” “Lysistrata,” “Macbeth” and Beckett’s “Endgame” and “Footfalls.”

The award-winning ensemble strives to expand modern theatre literature in Taiwan. Recently, they are producing the series “Shakespeare Unplugged” and a telenovela “K24.” Besides the staged productions, the ensemble provides community workshops and a summer acting school for young aspiring thespians.