Main Plays

Absolute Signal  In the Same Boat  Accidental Death of an Anarchist  Rhinoceros in Love

Absolute Signal Gao Xingjian and Lin Zhaohua are two directors bent on dramatic experiment. The main purpose of their experimenting with little theater drama is to strengthen theater's contact with the audience by using the advantages of modern drama. The story of Absolute Signal takes place in the last passenger compartment of a train. It depicts a depressed and perplexed young man whom trips and then turns over a new leaf by deciding to part with the train... more In the Same Boat If Absolute Signal is the masterpiece of China's little theater movement in the 1980s, then In the Same Boat belongs to the movement in the 1990s. The play aims not to experiment with but to approach the audience's soul. It wins over the audience with a poetic rediscovery of life and an excellent performance. Written by Shen Hongguang and directed by Wang Jia'na, the play depicts the young couple Liu Qiang and Mi Ling and a retired teacher named Miss Fang who remains single her whole life. They live together in a cramped apartment... more Accidental Death of an Anarchist This play is adapted from the Italian Nobel laureate Dario Fo's tragicomedy, which shows people a picture of police brutality, official corruption, and tyrannical absurdity in Italy in the 1960s. Several decades later, this play was modernized and localized by Meng Jinghui and his actors, who satirized almost every element of contemporary Chinese society worth targeting. In this play, Meng added lots of material (including references to the lyrics of the often-censored rock star Cui Jian, Lao She's venerated theater classic Tea House, and Jiang Qing's Cultural Revolution "model operas."), It is a satire about human dignity, and makes fun of elements in Chinese society that many Chinese can relate to... more Rhinoceros in Love People tell him, "Forget her." But Ma Lu reply, "To forget is only a matter general people can make, but I have decided not to forget her." This is classic dialogue from Rhinoceros in Love, which has caused a sensation throughout China since debuting in 1999... more

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