Coda: Theatrical Bricolage of Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and Othello in Beijing (1986): Translation and Introduction by Lia Wen-ching Liang

This concluding chapter features a 4-act play, performed by a cast of six, inspired by not only Hamlet, but also Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello, bringing us full circle. Other chapters in this book feature large-scale adaptations of Hamlet, Macbeth, or King Lear, but this work, which its co-authors call an “allegory,” brings together the protagonists of Shakespeare’s four tragedies to explore “the essence of being” human. Hamlet, Macbeth, Lear, and Othello pour their heart out to a character called Modern Man and discuss with each other the dilemmas in their lives. The small-scale production of To Be, or Not to Be is a fitting conclusion because it showcases a new, experimental approach of bricolage to Shakespeare, contrasting the touring and large-budget productions featured so far in this book.