Kiosk keeper's life journey inspires theatrical debut

For Chen, the newsstand represented more than a place to sell papers, and it held personal significance. She recalled that, as a child, her articles were published in local newspapers, sparking her literary aspirations and somewhat changing her path for life.

"To me, newsstands are a gateway to the spiritual world for many people, a place where they gather information, gain inspiration, and even change their destinies. The newsstands safeguard not only print media but also the ordinary people who are comforted by the warmth of words," she said.

Those ordinary people also included those portrayed on the stage. Those people whose destinies were touched by the newsstand included a young man who found stock market opportunities through the newspaper, a literary enthusiast whose dreams of writing were nurtured by the newsstand keeper, and a young woman who first glimpsed the world through geography magazines.

In the latter part of the performance, as the inevitable closure of the newsstand loomed, the stage avoided a somber tone. The protagonist continued his routine of selling, organizing, and closing up shop day after day, completing his work as usual.

"The most heartening aspect is that the real-life story didn't end with the changing times. The newsstand in Shanghai's Hongkou district was relocated to a new site on New Year's Day, thanks to collective efforts from multiple parties. The newsstand forms a vibrant cultural ecosystem with the nearby Shengli (meaning victory) Cinema, local eateries, and dessert cafes," said Chen.

"The new location is twice as large, conveniently located near a metro station, yet the newsstand keeper Jiang's attentive service as well as the familiar scent of ink and paper remain unchanged," she said.

Many audience members expressed a desire to visit the real newsstand after learning that it still stands in Shanghai.