The Other Shore
The Other Shore (; untoned "Bi An"; previously translated The Other Side) is a play by the Chinese writer Gao Xingjian. It was first published into English in 1997 and translated again in 1999. The intended premiere of "The Other Shore" under the direction of Lin Zhaohua at the Beijing People's Art Theatre had its production shut down by the Chinese government before it reached performances. The playwright proceeded to direct productions of the play at the Taiwan National College of Art in 1990 and at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 1995. Interpretation. Although  The Other Shore has been performed internationally, much of the meaning of the play is dependent on specifically Chinese cultural concepts. The title is a literary way of saying "the opposite bank of a river", but also refers to an element of Buddhism known as "paramita" (the "perfection" of a virtue), this "other shore" representing a state of enlightenment which everyone wants to reach. However, Gao's philosophy specifically inverts this hopeful worldview by proclaiming in his opening stage directions that the action takes place on "the non-existent other shore". The illusion of enlightenment is not to be reached  by play's end (or at least, not the enlightenment that was sought). Performance space. "The Other Shore" is also notable for its performance space requirements. Most likely influenced by the French Avant Garde movement, with which Gao was familiar, the playscript states that: Reception. Attending the 2003 Sons of Beckett Theatre Company performance directed by Jerry Wienckowski, Les Spindle praised "Xingjian's timelessly compelling vision, a plea for human liberty and peace. [...] Though the scenes seldom progress in a logical fashion, the cumulative impact is alternately chilling and humorous. The dysfunctional interactions suggest the ill effects of political anarchy  and the equally treacherous prospect of inefficient or self-serving rulers."