Actors’ Gang takes Shakespeare to China

Tim Robbins will take the Actors’ Gang’s production of “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to China, with performances in Beijing and Shanghai scheduled for June.

“Midsummer” is expected to run in Beijing at the National Center for the Performing Arts from June 10 to 15 and in Shanghai from June 19 to 21 at the Zendai Himalayas Art Center. Robbins will direct the stagings in China as he did in Culver City in 2013 at the Ivy Substation.

This production features minimal sets and special effects, relying instead on the ensemble cast’s boisterous interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy.

The performances in Beijing will be part of a Shakespeare festival. The company will take the play to the Spoleto Festival in Italy later this year.

This won’t be the first time that the Actors’ Gang will present a play in China. The company took its production of “1984” to China as part of an international tour.

The Oscar-winning Robbins is the artistic director of the Actors’ Gang and often directs productions there.