Below are links to reviews of three different, modern adaptations of Romeo and Juliet which inspired me to not be afraid to take liberties in my translation, or re-writing of the play. None of the adaptations remained faithful to a literal translation of the text, but rather recreated the classic in a way that spoke to a particular audience. I can only hope to achieve a fraction of the same success for my own translation of the play.
Yiddish adaptation- movie about rival Hasidic groups in NY; review says too ambitious/amateurish, but nonetheless a great attempt. I hope to mirror the rivalry between different ethnic groups in my own translation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/movies/romeo-juliet-in-yiddish-review.html?_r=0
South African adaptation- “Rebellion and Johannesburg”- play set in present day urban life, ingrains typical African rituals (“priest” is a sangoma, or South African spiritual healer); review says most important part is of the play is its “cultural translation” and the fact that young actors are allowed to express themselves freely in their own way: through hip hop and dance. My goal is to similarly create a modernized translation of Romeo and Juliet that speaks to newer generations.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/15/africa/rebellion-and-johannesburg-shakespeare-production/
Malaysian adaptation- play set in 1910 China; represents Westernization (bilingual English/Chinese); adapts many jokes to make sense to Malaysian population & thus broadens Shakespeare’s drama. I hope to represent Westernization as it has applied to Latin America, and Puerto Rico in particular, in my translation.