Playwright Aisling Dunne is paying tribute to her time in Beijing with performances of her newly adapted play, “The Great Bruce Lee Romance.” It follows Liu Feng, a shy awkward film critic who just can’t seem to keep a girl around. Obsessed with kung fu flicks, his imagination enlists the help of his idol Bruce Lee, whose sage advice helps bring all the ladies to the yard. Or just one. But you know, who’s counting?

We’ve got a pair of tickets to the play to give away and we tracked down Ms. Dunne to answer our burning questions about the new play. Read on for more:

TBJ: What inspired you to adapt "Play it Again, Sam" for Beijing, and in Chinese?
AD: I worked on a production of "Play It Again, Sam" when at university, and was very taken by the fast wit of the script.  I also liked the way that New York City featured so heavily as a character. I am leaving Beijing after a bit of a long haul, but felt I wanted to pay some kind of tribute to this city myself before doing so. Also felt that the fundamental themes relating to relationships and their effect on personal development are without cultural borders and affect everyone, making such a play credible in any number of languages or cultures.  As the original play was in English for New York City, I felt that in order to produce a 'Beijing' play, it could really only be performed in Chinese.

TBJ: What are the biggest challenges you've faced in this project? Language? Translation? Cultural differences?
AD: I have toiled away with Chinese for years now, and in day to day life have reached a level of comfort.  Directing in Chinese however has been a massive challenge - thinking completely on your feet and expressing complex thoughts!  I am lucky to have some excellent English speakers in the cast who have been a massive help to me when I get completely stuck.  On a more general note, this project really has made me realize what a time- and energy-intensive process putting on a play is!  Details come out and bite you in the behind all the time!

TBJ: In Woody Allen's play, the protagonist is aided by the ghost of Humphrey Bogart. Of all the Chinese icons to adapt this to, why did you go with Bruce Lee?
AD: I guess Bruce Lee is one of the most iconic Chinese figures across the world.  Since my teens, I have known people who are obsessed with his legacy.  So as to be an enjoyable play for anyone from any country, I wanted to choose someone who would be instantly recognizable.  In addition, Bruce Lee is a very compatible character to act as a mentor to the neurotic Liu Feng.

TBJ: Were there aspects of the original film/play that were a perfect transition to being set in Beijing? What about aspects that were especially hard to adapt?
AD: I guess the New York sights and pursuits which are regularly referenced in the original were very easy to translate for Beijing which has an equivalent in every instance. Some parts of the original were dropped, as I didn’t feel that they were relevant.  It was written in a pop-psychology "Oh my gawd, where is my therapist" and prescription drug-abuse era. Some strands of this remain though, as still think they hold some weight today.

TBJ: Why do you think love is so complicated among Chinese youth today? Did you have troubles with love in Beijing? Could you tell us about them?
AD: I think everyone has problems with love in this city - its a pressure cooker! I couldn't possibly pass comment on the state of the Chinese youth today, and their problems with love – this is just a play about a bunch of people.  Its purpose isn't really to pass judgement. It was more general theme of personal relationships that I wanted to draw on. Beijing however, is not short of romantic, or even anti-romantic moments, which is something I have tried to capture in this play!

[Ed.: Notice her deft sidestepping of our probing question about her own trials with love in Beijing … ]

TBJ: You mentioned you had a ready group of Chinese actors who could participate in this play. How did you fall in with this crew?
AD: The lead actor, Michael Collins, I have known since performing in a Shakespeare theatre workshop a few years back.  The whole project felt very 'yuan fen' after he agreed to be a part, as I was always set on him playing the lead character – he is an amazing comedy actor. He has also played a massive part in the script adaptation.  Another actress is an old party friend of mine, so I was very happy to know her in such a different context!  All other actors were found through the usual Beijing channels … friends of friends, friends’ Chinese teachers, expat theatre circles, etc.  

TBJ: Can you tell us a fun story of one or two moments during rehearsal?
AD: The guy who plays Bruce Lee (who I have to say looks little like him!) never fails to knock out socks off with his comedic interpretation of the legend! 

TBJ: You also mentioned this is your final project before leaving Beijing. What's next?
AD: Back home to London!  Have been from home a while now, so looking forward to reconnecting a bit. Will not be dropping Chinese though – signed up to a translation masters actually, so I may be back again!

To win a pair of tickets to the show at Penghao Theater, email win@thebeijinger.com and tell us your favorite Bruce Lee movie.

Details:
The Great Bruce Lee Romance
Aug 18-21. Play will be performed in Chinese with English subtitles. Advanced tickets available on piaowu.com and at the Penghao Theater box office. RMB 80 (door), RMB 60 (advanced), RMB 50 (student). 7.30pm. Penghao Theater (6400 6452)

Photo by Giga Paitchadze and courtesy of organizers.