Core Viewpoint - The adaptation of Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" into a co-created Chinese-French theatrical production aims to resonate with local audiences while preserving the essence of the original work [2][3][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" was serialized in France from 1869 to 1870 and was translated into Chinese in 1902 [3]. - The French fantasy play premiered in 2015 at the Comédie-Française and has been performed for nearly a decade [3]. - The co-created version is set to tour in China in 2025 [3]. Group 2: Theatrical Innovation - The production utilizes a black box theater approach, where darkness serves as a canvas and light as a brush, allowing for imaginative interpretations of the underwater world [3]. - Actors perform both human roles and manipulate puppets while dressed in special black garments, enhancing the visual experience [3][4]. Group 3: Localization Strategies - Language localization involves not just translation but cultural reinterpretation, as seen in the adaptation of a sailor's song to reflect Chinese poetic themes [4]. - Visual localization includes redesigning costumes to blend international stage aesthetics with Chinese cultural details [4]. - Emotional localization aims to reshape characters to resonate with Chinese cultural contexts, incorporating local idioms and characteristics [4][5].