Award-winning sci-fi novel adapted for stage

A stage adaptation of Chinese writer Liu Cixin's award winning Sci-fi novel "The Three-body Problem" has turned the futuristic world, where the earth is invaded by aliens, into a reality but still leaving enough room for the imagination. The 3D multi-media stage drama produced by the Shanghai-based Lotus Lee Drama Studio debuted in the capital. [Photo/Xinhua]

Liu Cixin won the Hugo Award for best novel for The Three-body Problem, the highest honor for the genre of science fiction and fantasy. And he's the first Asian author to take home the award.

The author's capacity to provoke people to think about the universe and human existence has won over sci-fi fans and the creative team wanted to bring his vision to the stage. The director says all the technologies serve one purpose: to tell the story.

"When we first started, we didn't decided that we have to use this or that kind of high-tech gears, just because it's adapted from a sci-fi novel. All the effects are meant to advance the plot and provide an immersive theatrical experience for the audience. Liu Cixin gave us lots of creative freedom for this production, but we tried stick to the original story, and made only small deviations," Liu said.

The show is being staged in Beijing until Sunday, before moving on the next leg of a 20-cities national tour. The show's director Liu Fangqi reveals that he's currently working with his team on a second drama based on The Three-Body trilogy.