Pulling together to stage a classic

A man of simple needs whose greatest ambition is to one day own a rickshaw, Xiangzi is probably one of the best-known characters portrayed by Lao She (1899-1966). In the decades since it was first published in 1937, the novel Rickshaw Boy has been adapted into movies, TV dramas and Chinese operas.

Now, a new version of the classic story has been adapted by Fang Xu into a Chinese play, which premiered at Beijing's Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on Dec 29. On Friday and Saturday, it will be staged at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

"The novel was published about 90 years ago. However, what intrigues me most is how it relates to today's young people, who call themselves 'Xiangzi'," says Fang, the play's director.

"Xiangzi is kind, determined and a man of a few words. He shares lots of similarities with today's young people, who move to bigger cities to make a living and want to fulfill their dreams by working very hard.

"For Xiangzi, he hoped to own his rickshaw. For today's young people, they may want to buy their own cars and apartments," Fang adds. "The rickshaw is more than just a vehicle, but Xiangzi's whole life, offering him spiritual support. I believe that many people share that feeling."

Born Shu Qingchun in Beijing, the Chinese writer Lao She is best known for his vivid descriptions of the lives of grassroots people that reflect the social realities of the time, and for his precise depictions of local culture in Beijing, especially through his unique sense of humor and use of the city's dialect. His novels, including Rickshaw Boy and Four Generations Under One Roof, and his plays, such as Dragon Beard Ditch and Teahouse, have earned him a stellar reputation worldwide as a linguistic and literary master.

Fang, like Lao She, was born and raised in Beijing. He graduated from the directing department of the Central Academy of Drama. He has been devoted to adapting Lao She's works into theatrical productions since 2011. He says that he feels close to the characters created by the great writer.

"I was intimidated by the idea of adapting Rickshaw Boy because it's so popular and a classic," says Fang. "The novel has over 100,000 characters, which was challenging for us to turn into a play."

Unlike most other adaptations, which focus on the relationship between Xiangzi and his wife Huniu, who is the daughter of Xiangzi's boss — a rickshaw company owner — and later dies during childbirth. Fang and his creative team decided to highlight the life changes of Xiangzi.

Like many of Fang's plays, an all-male cast features in the play, with three actors playing Xiangzi at different stages of his life, from the young man who heads to Beijing from the countryside and a man of ambition with the hope of owning his own rickshaw, to the tragic and hopeless figure he eventually becomes.

"I like the idea of blurring the lines between actors and actresses. Audiences will ignore the gender and concentrate on understanding the inner struggle of the characters," says Fang, when asked about his choice of cast.

"The director has a clear idea about Xiangzi, who is tall, strong, shy, inexperienced and hardworking. When he first saw me, he was sure that I had the look of Xiangzi," says young actor Xu Xingbo, who plays the young version of the protagonist. He tried to get as close to the character as possible by shaving his head and learning to pull a rickshaw.

Actor Liu Xinran plays Xiangzi after his money to buy a rickshaw is stolen.

"He is devastated, but still has the hope of making enough money again to buy his rickshaw. The man is very lovely, but also very tragic. His life is full of struggles but he still has hope," Liu says.

When it comes to the final part of the play, Fang plays Xiangzi as a totally changed man who has lost all hope.

Actor Zhao Zhen plays the role of Huniu, a woman he describes as "tough, hot-tempered, crafty, but good-hearted and unconditionally loving Xiangzi".

In 2019, Zhao played a female role in a Chinese play directed by Fang, titled The Story of Niu Tianci, adapted from Lao She's 1934 novel of the same title. The feedback from the audience inspired Zhao to take a swing at Rickshaw Boy.

"I can still remember that when I went to Tianjin with Fang Xu for a collaboration with a local theater in February 2023, we saw a woman on the street. The way she talked and her body language made both of us believe that she was exactly how Huniu looked like in real life," says Zhao. "That woman was my main inspiration in playing Huniu."

One of the best-known actresses in China who has successfully played Huniu is Siqin Gaowa, who is a consultant for Fang's play.

"Fang Xu and I have discussed the idea of turning Rickshaw Boy into a play for many years and now, it's happening," said Siqin Gaowa, who's 73 years old, at the announcement of the play in Beijing in October.

The actress has been out of the limelight for many years, but describes the role as one of the highlights of her acting career.

The play marked the end of the 7th Lao She Theater Festival, which pays tribute to the great writer and gathers theatrical productions from around the world.