Reviews: Chinglish

David Henry Hwang's comedy about miscommunication and misunderstanding between two cultures has garnered much acclaim in the US, winning the Chinese-American playwright a Joseph Jefferson Award (for best new work) in Chicago where it premiered two years ago.

Now running as part of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, will the bilingual play - and Hwang's humour - translate as well here where audiences are more familiar with the Chinese language and culture?

Inspired by the English translation errors commonly found in mainland signs - such as "The slippery are very crafty" (slippery slopes ahead) and "F*** the certain price of goods" (dry good price valuation point) - Chinglish follows intrepid American businessman Daniel Cavanaugh (Alex Moggridge) to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, where he tries to secure a contract to supply correctly translated sign posts for the city's new arts centre.

Ironically, Cavanaugh speaks no Putonghua and has to rely on one English expatriate, Peter (Brian Nishii), who promises to help him to interpret, and to circumvent the cultural minefield when negotiating with Minister Cai (Raymond Ma) and his deputy Xi Yan (Michelle Krusiec). Cavanaugh is told, for instance, to always put himself down as that is acceptable social etiquette when dealing with the Chinese.

The problems and comedy begin when communication is jarred, not only by the language barrier, but also by interpretations that are tainted with cultural prejudices and hidden personal agendas on both sides.