Remembering Lao She

According to the play's producer Liu Zhongkui, the idea of turning Feng's work of the same name into the play started some eight years ago. Directed by Zhong Hai and adapted by playwright Huang Weiruo, the play features artists from Tianjin People's Art Theater, as well as actress Liu Mintao, who has worked in movies and TV dramas.

"Feng's stories resemble literary sketches in simple, short and witty styles and often end with a moral lesson. The stories are amusing and moving. We hope audiences will have a great time watching the play just as people have while reading Feng's book," says the producer.

Another Chinese play, Interrupted Dream, a collaboration between playwright Yu Yue and veteran actor-director Chen Peisi, will be staged from Oct 12 to 23 at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing. The name of the play is taken from a scene in The Peony Pavilion, a romantic tragedy play written by dramatist Tang Xianzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and a well-known Kunqu Opera piece.

Interrupted Dream centers on a Kunqu Opera troupe during the civil war in the country. A play within a play, it depicts the troupe of the traditional art form going through the ups and downs of wartime. Chen plays the role of the head of the troupe. A comedian and a household name in China, Chen has worked with playwright Yu since 2015 on a Chinese play, The Stage, which is also a story about a drama ensemble in troubled times, but with some comedy.