Ibsen's play still relevant in today's world

Published in 1879, A Doll's House tells the story of Torvald, who sees himself as morally superior to his wife Nora, whom he deems to be an irresponsible, free-spending woman. When a stranger emerges and threatens to expose Nora for a fraud she had committed years ago, Torvald snaps and repudiates her. Nora soon leaves him to live her own life.

The play was first translated and introduced to China in the 1910s. In 2014, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing premiered its version of the play, which saw its 10th round of shows held last month.

This is the third play Wang has directed since joining the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre in 2014. The director started his training as a visual artist and worked for eight years as a stage designer before leaving to study in the United Kingdom and work at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

"Today, we, Chinese theater practitioners, are capable of presenting quality interpretations of Western theatrical classics and initiating artistic dialogue with colleagues in the global theater scene," he says. "I wish to keep on creating more classical works, and find the connection with today's people."

If you go

A Doll's House

7:30 pm, Friday-Saturday; 2 pm, Sunday.

Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, 288 Anfu Road, Xuhui district, Shanghai.

021-6431-4775.