At the Beijing People's Art Theatre on the night of Feb 4, the anticipation was palpable. Fans stood in long queues, some holding handmade signs, while others clutched posters they hoped to get signed. The air buzzed with excitement as the evening's star, British actress and producer Rosamund Pike, better known by her Chinese name Pei Chunhua, prepared to step onto the stage in front of an eager Chinese audience.
Her visit to China had already made headlines, from her diplomatic meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Shanghai to her theatrical debut in the National Theatre Live production Inter Alia. This was an evening that would blend her powerful stage presence with the warmth of the fans she'd come to cherish.
As the lights dimmed in the theater, the audience settled into their seats, eager to witness the iconic actress in a role unlike any she had ever played. The play, Inter Alia, written by Australian writer Suzie Miller, revolved around a female judge caught between her professional and personal lives — torn apart by an unexpected accusation against her son. As the curtain rose, Rosamund, in her role as Judge Jessica Parks, captivated the audience with her portrayal of strength, vulnerability, and a mother's instinct to protect her child at all costs.
Before the screening, Pike sat down with the audience and shared her profound connection to China.
"This is an incredible theater. I feel very lucky that my play is being screened here tonight. It makes me want to do it live for you," says the actress, sitting on the Beijing International Theater Center stage, a venue of the Beijing People's Art Theatre.
It was clear that this was more than just a work trip for her — it was deeply personal.
"My husband and I have always been fascinated by China," she says. Her husband had learned Mandarin in the 1990s, and now, with two young children fluent in the language, the family is a living bridge between cultures. Pike's children, she says, embraced Mandarin effortlessly, a testament to the power of immersion.
"I'm really excited that my travels in China are so much richer because of how my kids engage with the language. They see it as a tremendous gift," she notes. This connection gives her unique access to local culture, opening doors to experiences most tourists could never imagine — from visiting schools to being invited into people's homes.
