Staging a revival

Nearly all of the actors need to perform as several characters.

Chen Shengchao, for example, played all the three male protagonists-Macbeth, Zhao Guangyi and Gongsun Zidu-who are represented in four Peking Opera roles: laosheng (old male), xiaosheng (young male), wusheng (martial character) and hualian (painted-face character).

Chen says this is the biggest challenge he faced while doing this play.

"This arrangement presents difficulties for my performance, but it is also an innovative aspect of this production," Chen says. "I have never seen the method used in any traditional opera."

While presenting three tragedies, the play also included a male clown role (chou) and a drummer who provided both atmospheric percussion accompaniment and made impromptu remarks. Their banter and interactions often aroused bursts of laughter.

The innovative plays have been well-received by the mostly young audiences.

One of the audience members, Li Jianming, who is a theater practitioner herself, says: "I am amazed by the imagination and ingenuity of these young people.

"The play is very well executed, with excellent direction and acting. Daliangshan theater really does belong to the young people!"