Beijing theater brews up new version of classic play

Teahouse, one of the Beijing People's Art Theater best-known plays, is being staged at Capital Theater in Beijing from Feb 22 to March 3. [Photo provided to China Daily]

On Dec 2, 1956, novelist and dramatist Lao She (1899-1966) arrived at the Capital Theater, home of the Beijing People's Art Theater, for a reading of the script of a play he had just finished writing, titled Teahouse.

Codirected by Jiao Juyin (1905-75) and Xia Chun (1918-66), the play premiered on March 29, 1958, and was warmly received by the audience.

Since then, Teahouse has been performed by the Beijing People's Theater over 700 times, both at home and abroad, and is considered as a treasure of the theater in China.

Teahouse, one of the Beijing People's Art Theater best-known plays, is being staged at Capital Theater in Beijing from Feb 22 to March 3. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Teahouse, one of the Beijing People's Art Theater best-known plays, is being staged at Capital Theater in Beijing from Feb 22 to March 3. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In 1980, it became the first Chinese play to be staged abroad, with a 50-day, 25-show run in Europe and the ongoing revival marks the 125th anniversary of Lao She's birth.

The story of Teahouse takes place in Beijing and presents a vivid depiction of people and life during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Teahouse, one of the Beijing People's Art Theater best-known plays, is being staged at Capital Theater in Beijing from Feb 22 to March 3. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Liang Guanhua plays the role of the teahouse's owner, Wang Lifa.

"Although I have performed this role over 300 times, I still feel that there is more to discover and I am still nervous each time I perform," he says.

Pu Cunxin, who plays one of the main roles, is similarly excited. "Every time we perform Teahouse, it's a new experience, with new actors, actresses and new audience joining us."