古代, 近代, and 現代: Period labels and a modern setting
Read ancient tools and stories, modern development and literature, and present-day life beside an old story staged in a modern setting.
Antiquity as the time of objects or a story
古代（こだい） means ancient times or antiquity. 「博物館で古代の道具をじっくり眺めた。」 means “I carefully examined tools from ancient times at the museum.” The museum is the viewing location; 古代の道具 identifies the objects examined.
「この物語は古代を舞台にしている。」 means “This story is set in antiquity.” 古代 supplies the story’s period. A story’s setting does not establish verification of actual historical events.
The modern era in development and literature
近代（きんだい） means the modern era. 「展示では町が近代に発展した過程を紹介している。」 means “The exhibit explains how the town developed in the modern era.” The exhibit presents the town’s process of development in that era.
「近代文学の作品を一冊選んで読んだ。」 means “I chose and read a work of modern literature.” 近代文学 modifies the kind of work selected and read. Selecting one work does not establish reading every work of modern literature.
Present-day life and a modernized setting
現代（げんだい） can mean the modern era or present day. 「現代の暮らしと百年前の生活を比べた。」 means “We compared modern life with life one hundred years ago.” The comparison concerns modern life and life a hundred years earlier.
「古い物語を現代風の舞台に置き換えて上演する。」 means “We will stage the old story in a modern setting.” 現代風 modifies the stage setting. The English translation uses will stage and the Japanese 上演する is nonpast; neither reports a completed performance or a real modern event.
What does 現代風 modify in 古い物語を現代風の舞台に置き換えて上演する?
Show the answer and why
It modifies the modern-style stage setting. The old story is placed in that setting for staging, without reporting a finished performance or claiming its events actually happened in modern times.