From screen to stage triumph

Winston Chao had long considered slowing down and stepping away from the bright lights of the entertainment world after decades dominating both television and film.

But just as he was preparing to retire from acting, a transformative role arrived, reshaping his life and leading to a stunning triumph: he became the first actor from Taiwan to win the Wenhua Award, one of China's most prestigious honors for stage productions.

Chao won the award for his role as Shan Wudan in the Chinese play Crocodile, which is an original drama penned by Nobel laureate Mo Yan. Premiering in May 2024, the play has toured the country, performing more than 50 shows across over 20 cities, and receiving both commercial and critical success. From Friday to Sunday, the play will be staged in Hong Kong.

"Before Crocodile came calling, I was happily adjusting to a life of calm. I thought I was ready to retire," said 65-year-old Chao in Beijing on Nov 7. He has been keeping a low profile since the pandemic and living in the countryside in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. "After the pandemic, I wasn't sure if I wanted to jump back into the grind. I had a comfortable routine, and with my age and health, I didn't think I could handle the physical demands of theater. But then, this role came along, and suddenly, I felt like I had a new challenge to sink my teeth into."

Crocodile marks Chao's first foray into theater, a medium he had never explored during his long acting career.

The plot revolves around the protagonist, Shan, and a crocodile he receives as a gift for his birthday. Through an infinitely growing crocodile, the story delves into the complexity of human nature and explores the theme of "desire". The three-hour drama, coproduced by Magnificent Culture Co Ltd and Damai Entertainment, and directed by Wang Keran, features a star-studded cast from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. Its recognition in winning the Wenhua Award represents a milestone for private theater troupes and enterprises.

When Chao learned of his award, he was taken aback. "I was shocked," he says with a laugh. "I'm a newcomer to the theater world. This was my first play, and I feel like I still have so much to learn. I didn't expect to win an award at all!"

For him, winning the Wenhua Award was more than just a professional honor; it was a powerful validation of his decision to step back onto the stage. "It gave me confidence," he says. "I thought I would do maybe two plays, and that would be it. But this award has energized me, and now I'm eager to take on even more challenges."

One of the first people he shared the news with was none other than Mo Yan. Chao recalls how Mo Yan had attended a performance and offered invaluable feedback.

"He told me the monologue was too long — 12 or 13 minutes in total — and suggested I trim it down, but I didn't mind. I told him, 'Whatever you think is best for the play!' It was his writing that helped me, and that monologue, long as it was, actually saved me. It gave me the chance to redeem myself," says Chao.

Born in Taiwan, Chao has portrayed over 100 characters in films and television. Without any formal training in acting or experience as an actor, he started his acting career by playing the leading role of Wai Tung in The Wedding Banquet, a movie directed by Ang Lee in 1993. In 1994, he played the role of Zhenbao in Red Rose White Rose, a Hong Kong film directed by Stanley Kwan, based on the novella of the same title by Eileen Chang.

In 1997, he played the role of Sun Yat-sen in the movie, The Soong Sisters, directed by Mabel Cheung. In 1999, he worked with director Li Shaohong, playing two characters in the TV drama, Palace of Desire, or Daming Gong Ci.

Chao's transition from film and television to theater was far from easy. Having spent decades in front of the camera, he was accustomed to quick scenes and short takes. But in theater, every moment onstage is live, requiring sustained focus and emotional intensity.

"The biggest challenge was concentration," Chao says. "In film, you can focus for seconds at a time, but onstage, it's a whole different game. You're on for hours at a time. For someone like me, who struggles with maintaining focus, it was a real test."

The process wasn't smooth at first. Chao recalls that he often found himself drifting off mid-rehearsal. "In the beginning, my mind would wander. I'd need my fellow actors to remind me to stay on track," he says with a chuckle. "But over time, my concentration improved, and eventually, I was able to hold my focus through an entire act. It's a skill I didn't know I had."

Chao adds that the play's director Wang played a pivotal role throughout, from the initial invitation to rehearsals. Wang encouraged Chao, guided him in character development, emotional expression, and physicality — all critical to his Wenhua Award recognition.

In Crocodile, Chao portrays Shan, a government official trapped in the consequences of his own desires. It's a role that challenges both the actor and the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about power, ambition, and moral decay.

"Shan Wudan is a man who knows exactly what he's doing, yet he chooses to ignore the consequences," Chao says when asked what made him take up the role. "He's driven by desires — power, sex, status — and despite manipulating others, maintains a peculiar sense of humor. It's a fascinating character to play because he's so complex."

Chao delves into the role's psychological conflict, exploring his internal battle between ambition and morality. "There's loneliness even though he's at the top. He's isolated, distant, and ultimately destroyed by his desires. It's tragic, but also deeply human," he notes.

At the heart of Crocodile is a stark exploration of desire — how it drives people to seek more, and the inevitable price they pay for crossing boundaries. Chao believes this universal theme is what gives the play its power. "Desire can be both creative and destructive," he says. "When you're driven by desire, it can consume you. If controlled, it fosters growth and innovation. The play is about finding that balance."

Reflecting on his time in Crocodile, Chao feels he has rediscovered a passion for acting that he hadn't realized he'd lost.

"Theater is a real test of an actor's ability," he says. "It forces you to constantly evolve, to dig deeper, and discover new layers of a character. I've had the privilege of working in film and television for many years, but theater has opened up a new world for me. It's like a second wind.

"I've always enjoyed playing complex, layered characters, and theater gives you the chance to really dive into them," he says. "It's a much more immersive experience. I'm looking forward to what comes next."