A classic returns in tribute

The production's cast reflects the depth of the characters. Award-winning actor Zhang Qiuge, who plays Su Hongji, a manipulative bureaucrat, reunites with co-stars Yu Shaoqun, who portrays Wei, and Cheng Lisha, who takes on the role of Yuchun. Their chemistry, honed over the years, promises to reignite the magic of their earlier performances.

"It's like time has folded back on itself," Zhang reflects. "We're in the same rehearsal room at the NCPA, and memories of making the play keep flooding in. Su Hongji is a complex character — outwardly composed — but inwardly calculating and cold. Now, in my 50s, I can bring new depth to his role, shaped by my own life experiences."

When Yu first played Wei in 2012, he was a rising star, having gained recognition for his portrayal of legendary Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang in the film Forever Enthralled in 2008. His mastery of traditional Chinese opera gave him an unmatched authenticity in the role of Wei, a role he now revisits with a deeper, more personal perspective.