*The conference is partially supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. UGC/IIDS23/H01/25)
Call for Papers
At the turn of Hong Kong history in 1997, the 1st Shakespeare Conference was held at Hong Kong Baptist University. After almost three decades, the Hong Kong International Shakespeare Conference, with the theme of “Transplantation of Shakespearean Drama into Asian Culture,” will be jointly held by Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong on 13 – 15 April 2026.
Currently, there are three Shakespeare Associations in mainland China, the largest being the Chinese Shakespeare Association. Taiwan also has its own Taiwanese Shakespeare Association. While there is no active Hong Kong Shakespeare Association, Shakespeare is the most popular Western playwright among Hong Kong theatre practitioners and is thus integral to the construction of Hong Kong identity. Shakespeare is staged by large-scale repertory companies, small-scale experimental theatres in Hong Kong in both Cantonese and English. He has also been the inspiration for various art forms such as Chinese opera and Japanese Noh theatre.
To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in April, we have invited distinguished Shakespearean scholars from the UK, the USA, Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to serve as plenary speakers and roundtable discussants. While Shakespeare’s works are globally acclaimed, this conference will explore how his plays have been localised and adapted into different Asian theatre forms, such as Cantonese opera, Japanese Noh, Taiwanese yu opera, and Korean changgeuk opera. To this end, we have also acclaimed performers known for theiradaptations of Shakespeare into Cantonese opera and Japanese Noh.
The project will advance Shakespearean studies in Hong Kong and foster long-term collaboration and academic exchange between Hong Kong and Asian/Western countries in the field of Shakespeare. The fusion of Shakespearean drama with diverse Asian performance arts represents a unique research gap that this initiative aims to address.
With the conference “Transplantation of Shakespearean Drama into Asian Theatre Forms,” we aim to connect research and performance studies within an Asian context, reposition Hong Kong as a centre for Shakespearean studies in Asia, facilitate international research exchanges, enrich scholarly discourse, and promote cross-cultural dialogue in the realm of performance studies.
Submission of Abstracts
Interested scholars and advanced postgraduate students are invited to submit abstracts of 300 words with a bio of 150 words to the contact persons of the conference. Accepted papers will be presented at the conference. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 December 2025. Announcement of the proposals accepted will be made no later than 31 January 2026.
Instructions on Abstract Submissions
Please submit your 300-word abstract and 150-word bio to: Ethan Cheung (ethancheung@hkbu.edu.hk), or Sybie Lau (sybielau@hkbu.edu.hk). Please include the following information at the top of the page: (1) full name and title; (2) institutional affiliation (if any), position and email address; (3) 3‒4 keywords describing the presentation; and (4) audio-visual requirements (if any).
Main Theme of the Conference
- Transplantation of Shakespearean Drama into Asian Culture
Sub-Themes
- Cultural Localisation and Adaptation
- Identity and Representation
- Performance Practices and Innovations
- Audience Reception and Impact
- Pedagogy and Education
- Other themes that are relevant to the main theme of William Shakespeare
Confirmed Plenary Speakers and Roundtable Contestants
- Alexa Alice Joubin, Co-director of the Digital Humanities Institute; Professor of English & Theatre, George Washington University, USA
- Cong Cong, Co-director, Shakespeare Centre (China); Professor of English, School of Foreign Studies, Nanjing University, China
- Hirohisa Igarashi, Professor, Toyo University
- Lai Yiu-wai, Co-founder, Director & Playwright, Canto Op (吾識大戲), Hong Kong
- Lo Wai-luk, Adjunct Professor, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Michael Dobson, Director of Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, U.K.
- Suzuki Masae, Full Professor, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan
- Tam Kwok-kan, Chair Professor & Dean, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Wu Min-hua, Professor, Department of English, Chengchi University, Taiwan; Vice-president, Taiwanese Shakespeare Association
Conference Venue
Hong Kong Baptist University (Kowloon Tong Campus)
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (West Kowloon M+ Campus)
Conference Language
English
Application/Selection Procedure
15 December 2025: Deadline for abstract submission
31 January 2026: Notification of acceptance
13‒15 April 2026: Conference dates
Visa and Travels
Visa to Hong Kong and Macao is not required for participants holding European and American passports. However, visa is required for participants visiting China after the conference. Participants from mainland China need a permit to enter Hong Kong.
Organising Committee
Conference Chairs
Miriam Lau, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
Anna Tso, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Members
Kwok-kan Tam, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Chan Sau-yan, The University of Hong Kong
Michael Dobson, University of Birmingham, U.K.
Sam Lau, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
Ethan Cheung, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
Sybie Lau, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
Joyce Tang, Hong Kong Baptist University
Lam Chun Pong, Hong Kong Baptist University
Miguel Antonio N. Lizada, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Belle Ling, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Korix Wong, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Contact Persons for Abstract and Paper Submission
Mr. Ethan Cheung, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
(Email: ethancheung@hkbu.edu.hk)
Ms. Sybie Lau, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
(Email: sybielau@hkbu.edu.hk)
