'Streetcar' at home on China stage

[Photo provided to China Daily]

In the past decade huaju, or "theater plays", have gained popularity in urban China, in contrast to the traditional folk opera featuring poetic lyrics and stylized performances. But Wang says classical or established plays are not sufficiently presented in China, compared with contemporary comedies and plays adapted from popular novels, TV series and films.

Streetcar and other plays that have become part of the world literary canon are worth presenting to contemporary Chinese audience because "their themes transcend time, and today's audiences can find resonance in their own existences", says Wang.

The first-round performance in July won acclaim from critics, encouraging the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center to take it on tour this year. The new cast features Zhang Lu as Blanche and Wen Xiaowei as Stanley. Both are veteran actors at the SDAC.

"You can't just follow your own gut, if you want to create such a complicated and famous role as Blanche," Zhang says.

"I need to absorb nourishment from all the preceding works, from Vivien Leigh's film to the National Theatre Live."

Zhang has played leading roles in major theater productions, musicals and TV series, and says she finds Blanche to be a challenging and inspiring character.

If you go

7:30 pm, April 25-29. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 Chang'an Street West, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.

7:30 pm, May 5-6. Shanghai City Theater, 4889 Dushi Road, Minhang district, Shanghai. 021-5415-7496.

7:30 pm, May 19-20. Hangzhou Grand Theater, 39 Xinye Road, Jianggan district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. 0571-8685-5003.

7:30 pm, May 26-27. Chongqing Guotai Art Center, 1 Linjiang Zhilu, Yuzhong district, Chongqing. 023-6386-0588.