Beijing People's Art Theater brings classic to Singapore

The Wilderness is regarded as the most complicated and controversial work by Cao Yu, China's greatest 20th-Century playwright. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Beijing People's Art Theater has brought a play by China's late literary legend Cao Yu to Singapore. Directed by Chen Xinyi, The Wilderness is proving a big hit with locals.

The Wilderness is regarded as the most complicated and controversial work by Cao Yu, China's greatest 20th-Century playwright.

With this play, Cao moved away from the social realism that had dominated his earlier works such as Thunderstorm and Sunrise, and instead started to dabble in expressionism and symbolism.

Though this departure was not popular with audiences during early productions, its profound insight into human nature makes The Wilderness one of Cao's most accessible works for modern audiences.

"The Wilderness has a modern side, with human emotions laid bare, love, and woe. It's a direct and upfront confrontation with humanity," Chen Xinyi said.

"I think we can all relate to my character. Cao Yu has made him very convincing, and I hope my performance really shows that," said Xu Fan, actress.

The audience packed the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, one of Singapore's most prestigious performing-arts centers.

This marks the fifth time the Beijing People's Art Theater has come to perform at the Esplanade, and the two theaters hope to continue cooperation and exchange programs in the future.