In my experience, Chinese university students have always enjoyed participating in plays. Most of them have a flair for being dramatic, emotional and intense. It's a strange phenomenon being that in class they appear as shy and quiet lambs. Put them on the stage or in front of the class, however and the tiger comes out. The plays that they come up with are extremely entertaining to observe not only because of the smattering of Chinglish and mistranslations but mainly because of the theme and plot. It always almost involves a love story. Without fail there is an enormous amount of giggling and exaggerated actions. It's kind of like watching a middle school or high school production. Since it's hard to understand the students at times, we were given copies of the scripts. Here's the script of the winning play, just so you can see what we're dealing with here. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
"Brown Eyes"
Band: This music is played in honor of the girl of today - Miss Kirra. Let's wish her a happy birthday!
Kirra: Welcome to my birthday party! Let's enjoy the charm of youth in the beautiful music at this beautiful night. Let's enjoy the happy moments with all our heart!
(people begin to dance)
Hero: Are you a friend of Kirra?
Heroine: Yeah. We often see each other at library.
Hero: You look very familiar to me. I think we must have met each other somewhere before.
Heroine: Really? Probably it's because we live on so small a campus.
Hero: You look so very different!
Heroine: Thanks. But, can you tell me something more?
Hero: Oh, it's only a feeling. Something more? Hope I will have the chance. (Silent for a moment then continues) Can I have the chance? (Looks at the heroine firmly. They begin to dance).
Heroine: Kirra, who is the boy that danced with me just now?
Kirra: Oh, he is a senior in grade four. An excellent boy. He is going to study abroad.
Heroine: Oh, really?
Heroine's monologue: What an excellent boy! How great it feels to dance with him! But he is to study abroad and I am to graduate next year. I am still not sure where to go then. Buddha says, you look back at him for five hundred times in a previous life, so you win a chance of rubbing shoulders with him in the present one. It is such a rare chance to meet him. Must I give it up? (paces to and fro, hesitates, finally looking at the starry night she comes to a decision) Besides love, we have more important things in our life. We are still young, we have the whole world to wander and to conquer. We shouldn't stop our steps of pursuit for romantic feelings. Let me just pray for his happiness and keep it in my heart that I once loved such a man when I was a young and innocent girl.
Hero: Will you take these flowers from me? I want to confess that you are the special person for me.
Heroine: Thanks for these flowers! Now you are going to study abroad, and between us will be vast waters of the Pacific Ocean. I have to strive hard to come across that distance. But we can be friends now. And if Destiny allows we will see each other again. Place of meeting? Probably at the university you are going to study!
Hero: I can only hope. My heart will look for your brown eyes forever.
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