Theater festival promises performances to remember

Prima Facie, a one-woman play featuring Chinese actress Xin Zhilei, will be staged at the NCPA from Oct 18 to 20. The play, originally written by Australian playwright Suzie Miller, revolves around a criminal defense barrister who experiences a shift in her perception of the legal system after becoming a victim of sexual assault. The Chinese play was staged at the NCPA in 2023 to great success.

"Besides the touching moments we had in the theater, the connection between the Chinese play and audiences has been expanded outside the theater. Many people shared their own stories with us and even actress Xin shared her own story, which she tried to forget about for years," says Zhou Ke, the director. "The significance of the play goes beyond the play itself. I wish more people would bravely stand up to support those who have experienced sexual harassment after watching it."

Musicals will also be featured in this year's NCPA International Theatre Festival with two productions — the Russian musical Anna Karenina and Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic production Cats, which will be staged at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre.

Other international productions will include The Glass Menagerie starring Isabelle Huppert and directed by renowned Belgian theatre director Ivo van Hove, which will be staged at the NCPA from Dec 4 to 6, closing the festival.

According to Wang Wei, one special section of the festival will be dedicated to traditional Chinese operas as this year marks the 130th anniversary of the birth of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) and the 90th anniversary of the birth of Mei Baojiu (1934-2016). Renowned artists such as Peking Opera actress Shi Yihong and Wang Peiyu will also perform at the NCPA.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn