Reviving classics to retell timeless stories
Beijing People's Art Theatre has launched an ambitious plan to bring back some of the most iconic works in Chinese stage history, Chen Nan reports.
In September, a new production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, directed by Xu Ang, will bring together young creatives in a modern reinterpretation.
In November, Xiao Jun Zhi Qiu ("the autumn of a small town"), a new work directed by Tang Ye and Gong Lijun, adapted from the American play and film August: Osage County, will be staged, exploring themes of family and relationships in a domestic setting.
To commemorate the 120th anniversary of playwright Jiao Juyin's birth, the theater will host an exhibition celebrating his legacy. Teahouse, one of the theater's most popular and iconic works written by Lao She, will also be staged.
This year also marks a milestone for the theater in terms of cultural exchange. It plans to increase its international presence, participating in the 11th Silk Road International Arts Festival in Shaanxi province. In October, it will organize the 2025 Beijing People's Art Theatre International Drama Invitation Exhibition, an annual event bringing together acclaimed international and domestic drama troupes to Beijing.
Another major focus for the Beijing People's Art Theatre in 2025 is expanding its public service role. With initiatives such as community theater performances and educational outreach, the theater is committed to making the arts more accessible to the public. In the new year, the theater will recruit students from universities in Beijing, Hebei province, and Tianjin. Through theater workshops and lectures, it will host activities to strengthen the connection between the theater and students.
