Giving the bard a common touch

Japanese costume designer Emi Wada says the Chinese adaptation will be the best of her King Lear projects.

"I have always dreamed about doing a role like this. With my experience, it is perfect timing for me to play King Lear."

Meanwhile, director Li has also invited Japanese costume designer Emi Wada to work on King Lear.

Wada, 79, has worked with some of the greatest Japanese and international directors in film, opera and dance. She has also worked in Chinese projects, such as Chinese director Zhang Yimou's films－Hero in 2002 and House of Flying Daggers in 2004－composer Tan Dun's opera, The First Emperor, and dancer-choreographer Fei Bo's ballet piece, The Peony Pavilion.

She is also known for her Academy Award-winning costumes for Akira Kurosawa's Ran in 1986, which was inspired by Shakespeare's King Lear.

Sounding very enthusiastic about her association with the project, she says: "I love Shakespeare's works and I want to do costumes for all of his works.

"But what I care most about in a project is whether I can try something new. I have done costumes for King Lear, but I think this Chinese play will be the best of my King Lear projects."

She says that all the costumes for the play are handmade, including the embroidery.

If you go

7:30 pm, Jan 20-Feb 2, except Jan 27 and 28. NCPA, 2West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.