Theater plays key role in dramatic tradition

Family Reunion was supposed to be staged in the capital during Spring Festival. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the performances of Beijing People's Art Theatre in late January, February, March, April and May have been canceled or postponed.

Feng and Liang used to spend a large part of the holiday at the theater. This year is quite different since they stay at home like many other people because of the viral outbreak. For the couple, the theater means a lot to them personally.

"We don't have children, so it seemed to be the best way to celebrate," Feng said. "When the theater is full, we feel satisfied.

"People who travel to spend time at home with family come to our theater because the audience puts its trust in us. That makes a visit to the theater a lasting treat for them."

The Beijing venue is relatively young when compared with many well-established theaters worldwide, and although it began life just three years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, it is still considered the flagship of Chinese drama.

Many of the plays staged at the theater, such as Teahouse adapted from the work by Lao She, and Thunderstorm, written by Cao Yu, are classic Chinese theatrical productions and are now used as training material for actors.