刘晓明大使在中国国家话剧院《理查三世》伦敦首演招待会上的讲话

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at Reception of Premiere of Richard III by National Theatre of China

（2015年7月20日，伦敦莎士比亚环球剧场）

Shakespeare’s Globe, 20 July 2015

尊敬的英国文化和数字经济国务大臣维希阁下，

尊敬的莎士比亚环球剧院首席执行官康斯塔伯先生，

中国国家话剧院的各位艺术家们，

女士们，先生们，

Minister Ed Vaizey,

Chief Executive Neil Constable,

Artists of the National Theatre of China,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

非常高兴出席中国国家话剧院《理查三世》在伦敦首演招待会。首先，我向远道而来的中国艺术家们表示热烈的欢迎，感谢你们不远万里来到伦敦，带来中国版的英国剧作经典。

It is a truly delight to join you at today’s reception to mark the premiere of Richard III performed by the National Theatre of China.

I want to extend my warmest welcome and thanks to the artists from China.

They came all the way to London to bring us the wonderful Chinese version of this great British classic.

此次中国国家话剧院中文版《理查三世》在伦敦上演，我认为有三重意义：

In my view, three things have made the Chinese production of Richard III special and outstanding.

第一， 理查三世这位英国15世纪的君主前阶段在英国引起了不小的轰动。从2012年他的遗骸在莱斯特市的一处停车场里被发掘，到身份被DNA证实，到今年3月重新被埋葬在莱斯特大教堂，人们热议他的身世，评价他的功过。这些机缘巧合似乎为今天的演出作了铺垫，让人们对演出更感兴趣、更加期待。

First, this 15th century king became a recent sensation in the UK. The discovery of his lost remains under a car park in 2012 created headlines around the world. The interest continued with proof from DNA identification. Then there was his reburial in Leicester Cathedral last March. Throughout there has been much talk about his life and achievements.

This unintended coincidence and the recent interest have certainly raised the expectations for the Chinese National Theatre’s rendition of Richard III.

第二，中文版的《理查三世》不是莎士比亚原作的简单翻译，而是有着中国式的诠释。该剧由中国国家话剧院的王小鹰导演改编，使用中文进行演出，融入了中国传统的文化元素，反映了中国人对莎翁和他的戏剧的理解。这既是中英文化交流的创新之作、合璧之作，也是中国艺术家为明年莎翁诞辰400周年奉献的最好礼物。

The second point I want to make is that the Chinese version of Richard III is not merely another translation of Shakespeare’s writing. It is imbued with Chinese appreciation of the original work.

The adaptation by director Wang Xiaoying of the National Theatre of China incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture. The performance is in Chinese and intends to convey the Chinese understanding of Shakespeare and his play.

This is without doubt a great feat of innovation resulting from China-UK cultural exchanges.

It is an excellent display of how the Chinese and British culture work together seamlessly in one play.

It is the best birthday gift from Chinese artists for next year’s 400th anniversary of the great playwright.

第三，此次演出时值“中英文化交流年”中国文化季，是文化季的首场重要演出。自《理查三世》起，“中英文化交流年”中国文化季的各项活动将陆续登陆英伦。此次中国文化季活动共分为11个板块，49大项，66个小项，将通过视觉艺术、设计、戏剧、音乐、舞蹈、电影、体育、思想交流等多种形式，为英国民众集中呈现古典和现当代的中国艺术作品和文化创造。中英两国的文化交流与合作也将借此迈上一个新台阶。

正是基于以上三点，我们可以说，中国国家话剧院《理查三世》来英演出恰逢其时。

So, with the above three points, I am happy to say, for the National Theatre of China to bring their production of Richard III to the UK, there is no better time than this.

最后，祝演出取得圆满成功，祝各位朋友们度过一个美好的夜晚。

In conclusion, I wish the performance a great success!

And I wish everyone an enjoyable evening!

谢谢！

Thank you!