On October 17th, the China National Drama Theater announced a fresh and youthful rendition of Anton Chekhov’s classic play “Three Sisters.” This marks the theater’s first staging of this renowned work.
The play is directed by the youthful and innovative Li Yu, who studied in Russia. He has restructured Chekhov’s four-act masterpiece into 24 tightly woven segments that balance humor and tragedy, creating an engaging atmosphere infused with playfulness. In a media event on October 16, Li emphasized that “Three Sisters” delves into the psychological landscape of youth. He intends to concentrate on the actions and behaviors of young characters, aligning them closely with contemporary life while capturing the spirit of Chekhov’s era. His goal is to express the pain and joy within the narrative, ensuring the work resonates with both the present and the future.
In a special highlight, young actress Wang Zixuan, making her stage debut, joins the cast. Previously celebrated for her roles in popular series like “Accompany You to the World’s Peak” and “Home, Don’t Come Back,” she now tackles the challenge of theater. Under pressure, she views this opportunity as a chance for personal growth, skillfully blending her character with modern life through nuanced performance to create a vibrant, contemporary Irina.
The character of Tusenbach will be played by Zhang Yicong, a talented young actor from the China National Drama Theater who has been with the company for a decade, participating in classic productions such as “Beijing Fayuansi” and “The Live Broadcast of the Founding Ceremony.” Taking on a leading role for the first time, he finds deep meaning in the character’s longing for spiritual fulfillment and the conflict between reality and ideals, discovering new insights into life amidst despair.
Newcomer Xu Shixin, also a young actor at the theater, humorously declared, “I want to work; I want to go to Moscow.” He expresses his commitment to immersing himself in the Russian acting techniques, aiming to capture the essence of Chekhov’s vision of a beautiful new life while conveying the audience’s hopes through themes of despair and loneliness.
The theater’s president, Tian Qinxin, noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of Chekhov’s death. Staging “Three Sisters” at this significant juncture reflects the theater’s commitment to presenting a world classic each year, and it is the first time since the theater’s founding in 2001 that Chekhov’s masterpiece has been performed. She expressed great anticipation for the talented young creative team behind the production.
The play is set to run for five performances from October 26 to 30 at the National Theater’s Vanguard Smart Theater.
