6-hour-long The Dream of the Red Chamber staged in capital

Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre staged its six-hour production of The Dream of the Red Chamber at the Capital Theater in Beijing from Oct 11 to 13, as part of the ongoing Beijing People's Art Theatre International Drama Invitation Exhibition.

Based on the Chinese classic of the same name written by Cao Xueqin during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the production chronicles the downfall of the wealthy and influential Jia family during the imperial era, against the backdrop of the country's social and political upheavals.

With creative team members, including scriptwriter Yu Rongjun, producer Tian Shui, director Cao Yan, the production, about six-hour long, has been staged for about 100 times since its premiere in 2021.