Featured Performances
01 Beijing Opera: Four Generations Under One Roof
Highlights
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Mr. Lao She, it vividly portrays the open-mindedness, uprightness, friendliness, humor, as well as the resigned, tradition-bound and self-important personalities of "old Beijingers."
It tells the story of the four generations of Qi family living under one roof, living a peaceful life with their neighbors Li Siye, Da Chibao, Guan Xiaohe, and the patrol officer in the Xiaoyangjuan Hutong of old Beijing. However, they never dreamed that their tranquil life would one day undergo an earth-shattering change – the Japanese invaded Beiping (Beijing) City, and everything changed amid the gunfire. Four generations under one roof, a big family in troubled times. The old master Qi racked his brains to maintain the harmony of the courtyard home. But without a nation, how could there be a home?
Cast
Old Man Qi played by Li Xiangkui
National first-class performer of China. First Batch Talents of the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, member of the Beijing Theatre Association.
Qi Ruixuan played by Hu You
Selected in 2016 for Passing on Tradition - Contemporary Local Opera Master's Apprentice Program of the former Ministry of Culture, studying under performing artist Zhang Shaorong to inherit the Beijing opera Longxugou(the Dragon Beard Ditch).
Yun Mei played by Song Jie
Selected in 2017 for Passing on Tradition - Contemporary Local Opera Master's Apprentice Program of the former Ministry of Culture, studying under performing artist Lu Xuewen to inherit the Beijing opera Shaoniantianzi(Young Emperor).
"The Beijing opera Four Generations Under One Roof with its distinctive Beijing flavor and singing style, blends spoken drama, opera, and stage performance. In just two short hours, it took me back to the small alleys of old Beiping during the Japanese invasion in the War of Resistance, experiencing an awakening in that era of national peril." - Audience member
"The opera version of Four Generations Under One Roof has a rather dramatized structure and progression, with the arias seamlessly interwoven into the story without a sense of abruptness, making this operatic form accessible even to the uninitiated. The folk music ensemble accompaniment is just right, with live performances on erhu, sanxian, and bamboo flute creating a unique experience distinct from drama musical scores." - Audience member
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Time: March 25-26
Venue: Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center
02 Drama 'night, Mother'
Highlights
A renowned work by American playwright Marsha Norman, it premiered on Broadway in 1979 to great acclaim, won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 1982 and the Pulitzer Prize in 1983, becoming a classic Broadway staple. The 2023 production of night, Mother by Beijing People's Art Theatre scored 8.6 on Douban and was highly praised by audiences.
The play tells the story of a daughter confessing her suicidal intentions to her mother, who starts questioning herself and persuading her daughter not to commit suicide, depicting the profound reflections between mother and daughter. Beijing People's Art Theatre presents this family relationship and individual destiny theme to contemporary audiences, showcasing their artistic pursuit while deeply exploring the thought-provoking philosophy of this classic work.
"As a two-hander, 'night, Mother is carried entirely by extensive dialogue and the constantly shifting emotional states of the characters, posing immense challenges to both the director's handling and the actors' skills. Through the seemingly mundane yet lifelike conversation between mother and daughter, we have already grasped abundant details and information, while the offstage drama of the play, introduced by the male character, reveals the source of the protagonists' psychological struggles. This poses another challenge to the actors' performance abilities, which the two actresses in this production have successfully met, leaving the audience profoundly shaken after the show." - Chen Xiaoling (Professor of Drama and Literature, Central Academy of Drama, critic)
"A good play is one that can resonate with audiences across eras by presenting principles and stories. ‘night, Mother is undoubtedly such a excellent work - the closer the love, the harder the communication. The dialogue between the two characters provides tremendous depth of information, delivering a powerful impact to the audience and allowing them to feel the multifaceted nature of humanity and the complexity of communication." - Li Longyin (Former Deputy General Manager of Beijing Performance & Arts Group, critic, playwright)
"This play expresses a kind of unknowability, uniting the contradictions between intimacy and estrangement. From any perspective, 'night, Mother can provide enlightenment to audiences. Although we may have different cultural backgrounds and psychological mindsets from the author, leading to variations in our understanding of the work, the themes of life and love undoubtedly resonate profoundly within us." - Peng Li (Former editor-in-chief of commentary department of Beijing Daily, critic, poet)
A confrontation amid the hustle and bustle
A good night and a quest for love
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Time: March 29-31
Venue: Small Theatre of Beijing People's Art Theatre
03 Dance Drama Absolute Test
Highlights
China Dance Lotus Award winning dance drama with top-notch artistic team. Stars Zhang Yin and Liu Tianyi of the Lotus Award cast, created by Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe.
Witness the female solitary hero undergoing the ultimate test, persevering resolutely amid the night lights of Chongqing City in 1940s.
"Eating heartily, shouting loudly, laughing cheerfully - it fully displays the passionate, bold, and down-to-earth spirit of Chongqing hotpot culture in an interesting and lively manner." - Feng Shuangbai (Chairman of Chinese Dancers Association)
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Time: March 29-31
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts
04 Broadway Original English Musical The Sound of Music
Highlights
Even if you haven't heard of The Sound of Music, you must have heard Do-Re-Mi - its evergreen, wondrous charm continues to captivate generation after generation.
The Sound of Music won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Show Album, and has created wonderful memories for audiences worldwide across generations. Derived from the musical, the albums, films, TV specials and other art forms have swept top honors like the Tony Awards, Grammy Awards, Academy Awards and Emmy Awards, achieving the grand slam of American arts awards. After an eight-year hiatus, the original classic returns to mainland China.
As the iconic melodies of Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, and The Lonely Goatherd, resound, the audience is moved: "I first knew The Sound of Music from the movie, and now I finally get to see the original musical!" "These are familiar tunes, beautiful memories."
Do-Re-Mi is one of the most famous songs from The Sound of Music and a renowned music educational song included in sixth-grade textbooks. In the lively and cheerful rendition by Maria and the children, we see the magical charm of the seven notes do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti.
On a stormy night, to soothe the children's fears of lightning and thunder, Maria burst into singing the upbeat The Lonely Goatherd, echoing the flashes and rumbles.
With its rich Austrian folk flavor, Edelweiss has always been a popular singalong at grand performances for all ages.
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Time: March 28-31
Venue: Century Theatre
05 Drama Faces in the Crowd: 36 Extraordinary Tales of Tianjin
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Highlights
Adapted from the original work by Feng Jicai, scripted by Huang Weiruo, directed by Zhong Hai and starring Liu Mintao. It was the opening performance of the 6th Lao She Theater Festival, an exhibition show of the 22nd China Shanghai International Arts Festival, a 2023 National Arts Centre's National Creation Fund project, and a 2022 Beijing Culture and Art Foundation project.
In a tavern by the Beijing-Tianjin Grand Canal, there is the kind and wise tavern keeper Guan’erjie; the godlike Niwawa; the mud figurine maker Zhang who can sculpt anything lifelike; the daredevil wall plasterer Li who wears all black and boasts he'll do white patches for free; the mysterious Jiupo who appears and vanishes; the bonesetter Su Qikuai; Dr. Hua who identifies people by their teeth; Cai the young master who sold off his family fortune; Li Jinao the tough guy who values only friendship, not money; and the wicked street punk Gazazhangwu... A vivid array of eccentric characters, a series of fascinating folk tales, this motley crew of oddballs gathers to enact a riveting yet profoundly philosophical drama.
Faces in the Crowd: 36 Extraordinary Tales of Tianjin x Yangliuqing New Year Woodblock Prints Cultural Heritage Co-Branded Poster
"This play possesses the demeanor, taste and quality of a masterpiece repertory work. Its presentation will surely leave a brilliant mark in the flourishing development of Chinese drama." - Lin Yongjun (Chairman of China Drama Association)
"This work originates from literature, from characters, from the folk customs and traditions - its successful choice of subject matter already achieves half the success from the very beginning." - Lin Weiran (Editor-in-chief of New Drama Magazine)
"The cultural approach depicted through the extraordinary tales of ordinary people with local flavors is very down-to-earth, which is a prerequisite for a work to spread far and leave a lasting impact." - Li Qian (Associate Dean of Management Department, Central Academy of Drama)