I never expected to hear Karl Marx's theories described as "trendy."
But that's how a certain Chinese director, He Nian, is trying to portray the philosopher's works with his "all singing, all dancing" musical version of Das Kapital.
According to the China Daily newspaper, the stage show will be produced in Shanghai, and will be based on the treatise as well as some additional material to make it relevant to today.
"The entertainment and theatrical elements will help ordinary people better understand why the financial crisis is happening," said Zhang Jun, a Fudan University economics professor, who is an adviser on the production in the article.
The director wants to have the audience connect to Marx's ideas, even though the volume was published so long ago.
"We will bring [Marx's] economic theories to life in a trendy, interesting and educational play, which will be fun to watch," the article quoted He as saying.
I'm not sure if I should be impressed or horrified at the lengths the Chinese are going to to reassure their frightened citizens about the economic crisis.
And not to be incendiary or anything, but this seems almost like a grown-up version of the Sesame Street-esque TV program, Children's Club, which teaches Palestinian children to hate Jews - brainwashing through song and dance.
But either way, I don't know if you ever studied Marx - I'm not a particular fan, as I think he was a bitter, ranting loon - but I have to believe if anything would cause someone to roll over in his grave, this would.
An all singing, all dancing version of Das Kapital. Enough said, really.
-- Brianna
