Since its 1954 premiere, the Beijing People's Art Theatre production has been revived in 1979, 1989, 2004 and 2020, accumulating more than 600 performances over seven decades.
Each revival has introduced the classic to new audiences while serving as a training ground for successive generations of actors, directors and designers.
"Thunderstorm is one of the cornerstones of the Beijing People's Art Theatre," says Feng Yuanzheng, veteran actor, director and the theater's president. "Its literary value and artistic spirit deserve to be passed on."
The latest production is part of the theater's initiative, "Classic Repertoire Restoration Program", launched in 2025 to ensure landmark productions remain living works rather than museum pieces. The first production under the initiative, Returning Home on a Snowy Night, premiered in May 2025. Originally written in 1942 by playwright Wu Zuguang (1917-2003), the play was first performed by the theater in 1957. In July 2025, the theater restaged one of its most iconic productions, Rickshaw Boy, which also premiered in 1957, and was adapted from the beloved novel of the same name by Lao She (1899-1966).
Faithful to tradition, the revival of Thunderstorm preserves the original 1954 set and costume designs, allowing audiences to step into the dimly lit Zhou family mansion much as theatergoers did decades ago. Yet, behind that historical continuity lies months of fresh research.
Preparation began early this year. Yang organized workshops introducing the cast members to Cao Yu's writings, archival materials and recordings of previous productions. The goal, he emphasizes, was never imitation.
