Collaborating with French artists and adapting a French novel, the Chinese crew aimed to respect the original work while shaping a Chinese stage aesthetic that resonates with local audiences.
The localization took place in mainly four aspects, according to Zha — language, visuals, sentiment and performance.
The lines were translated not only faithfully, but also naturally. The translated dialogues aimed to fit the contemporary Chinese conversational context, adding idioms and humorous sayings that are easily understood by Chinese audiences.
Characters' costumes are redesigned based on the performers' physiques and temperaments, giving a touch of Chinese aesthetics while preserving their original identities.
Harpooner Ned Land, for example, dons the outfit of Chinese fishermen in this production, and speaks with folk idioms.
"As we worked with the actor, the character gradually took on the quality of a Chinese wandering hero. The folk idioms in his lines represent wisdom of surviving in the grassroots society, which add a sense of humor and also make the character more down-to-earth," Zha says.
To more closely align the mysterious marine world with the imaginations of Chinese audiences, the crew also introduced underwater creatures inspired by mythology.
Drawing inspiration from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, an ancient Chinese collection of mythological creatures, designer Liu Kaiyin created a dragon-like snakefish puppet, which is operated using traditional Chinese dragon dance methods.
"Localization is not simply a matter of translation and substitution. It's about allowing the work to truly enter the aesthetic and emotional world of the local audience," Zha says.
The production has been selected as an excellent program within the "Grand Performances in Beijing" initiative by the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles. It is now going on its national tour to major Chinese cities, with an estimated total of 34 performances this year.
"For young children, this fantasy show offers an engaging stage and captivating visual spectacle, with mysterious sea creatures against a pitch-black background. At the same time, parents accompanying their children to the theater can also discover profound reflections within their own hearts," commented Hugo Award-winning science fiction writer Hao Jingfang after watching the show.
