Shanghai Repertory Theatre continues to bring out drama’s big guns with Shakespeare’s King Lear, which will be performed in English with Chinese subtitles.

Local theatre expert Ned Kelly says that while Hamlet is the best role a young actor can hope for, Lear is the pinnacle for more seasoned players. Thomas Caron, who plays Lear, genuflects to the bard, who he says has done most of the work for him: “You don’t play Shakespeare. Shakespeare plays you.”

The performance will be held at the Ke Center for Contemporary Arts, which was previously the Da Ming Rubber Factory. It’s industrial era East meets Jacobean West.

King Lear. 24-28 March, 8pm, Ke Center for Contemporary Arts, 613-B Kaixuan Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu. RMB 180 (presale), RMB 200 (at door). Web: www.ticket2010.com