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Penghao Theatre: Cutting Edge Stage Pioneer in China

Penghao Theatre: Cutting Edge Stage Pioneer in China

Penghao Theatre is the first independent theatre in China.

Established in 2008, it marks the beginning of a new era – a clean break from the rigid theaterical guidelines imposed for decades.

The theatre, which is pushing China’s new freedom of expression to new heights, has come to Sweden to show what modern Chinese theatre is all about.

Wang Xian grabs the arms of his two friends, dramtists Chen Xiaoling and Gui Lai, and rushes up the steps of Sweden’s finest theatre venue: The Royal Dramatic Theatre.

They’re here to work with local actors who’ll do a reading from scenes from what’s called Modern Theatre in China: a blossoming art form. 

Wang Xian started the Penghao Theatre in Beijing, the first independent, private theatre ever run in China.

“Today there are so many skyscrapers and material life is improving. The stockmarket is almost like Wall Street. But we’re losing our morals and our culture. I started the theatre to replenish the lost cultural soul of China.”
 
When Wang asked for permission to start the theatre in 2008, the authorities didn’t know what to do – they had never been asked this kind of question before.

It took 2 years for them to approve it.

Since then, there have been over 1000 performances on the small stage in Beijing.

“When people get a better material life, they also need a better spiritual life. That’s where culture comes in.”

Wang Xian is also a pioneer in another field: he’s a dentist and started China’s first private dental clinic. He puts his passion and his earnings into the Penghao Theatre. 

The roots of Wang’s work go deep. This evening he is singing a decades old patriotic song to the audience.

In the past, there were only eight plays approved by the authorities, but things have changed radically since the Cultural Revolution.

A play written by Chen Xiaoling is being performed by Swedish actors.

It tells a sombre story about the life of China’s most important playwright, Cao Yu. 



Cao Yu destroyed his original work to comply with the norms of the Cultural Revolution... a decision he regretted for the rest of his life.

Criticizing an icon is something Chen Xiaoling would find hard to do on a Chinese stage, if it wasn’t for the Penghao Theatre.

The theatre is bold and full of political criticism, but so far it’s being tolerated by the government.

“Now, with the chance to show my plays at the Penghao Theatre it’s only my own immaturity and personal creative development as a playright that limits me.”
 
Playwright Gu Lai’s play is about a man who returns home from the army.

His family has lost everything, cheated by the government.

It’s a common story in China, where the rich make the decisions, corruption is rife, and poor people are thrown aside.

Playright Gu Lai has no academic theatrical background. He comes from the countryside, and writes about his own environment, which he says is an advantage.

“The difference is that at the Penghao Theatre we can communicate directly with the audience.  Even discuss after the play. So I’m sure there will be more of this kind of theatre in the future.”

Despite the often critical themes, the Chinese government has begun to giving funding to the Penghao Theatre in an effort to get people to go to the theatre.

For theatre director Wang Xian, it’s more than he expected… a dream come true.

“After doing 20 plays and 6 festivals, we can now say we’re  established and we will last. We’ve really filled a need.”











  • Sweden
  • China
  • Penghao Theatre
  • freedom of expression
  • Ric Wasserman

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