Splendid art dances in a viral silence

"At this time of grave concern over the spread of the new coronavirus our thoughts continue to be with those most directly affected by this serious public health crisis."

Like the NCPA, the Beijing People's Arts Theatre has released an online program. On Feb 4 it screened the play Bei Jie Nan Yuan, which premiered at the Capital Theatre in Beijing in August 2003. Written by Wang Jian and directed by Ren Ming, the play features leading theater actors including Yang Lixin, Zhu Xu and Lyu Zhong.

Its story is that of a courtyard in Beijing and its residents during the SARS outbreak in 2003. Within a few hours the screening, online audiences were registering their appreciation for the performance.

"We wanted people living under the shadow of the virus outbreak to see this show," said a message the theater published with the screening. "We've been through a lot during the SARS outbreak. ... Now, with the challenges we face we are both resolute and confident."

In a similar vein, one theater aficionado wrote on the theater's social media platform:"The viral outbreak is hitting the arts industry hard. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai have become international cultural centers and gateways to China. This epidemic is temporary and we'll win the battle."