A showcase of storytelling

The 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival opens this August, and audiences will be treated to an exciting showcase of Chinese storytelling, with three captivating plays that blend traditional cultural elements with cutting-edge theatrical techniques.

One of the highlights is The Life of Mine, a 50-minute production by the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe, which will be staged from July 30 to Aug 3. Directed by Bai Ailian and featuring a talented cast of young creatives, the performances introduce the relatively lesser-known art form of Quju Opera, which combines the elegance of traditional Chinese opera with contemporary interpretations. One of the production's highlights is 24-year-old leading actor Wang Houyi, whose portrayal of the main character left a lasting impression since its premiere in 2022.

The play is adapted from the novella by acclaimed writer Lao She (1899-1966), known for his witty and compassionate depictions of ordinary lives, particularly the urban poor. It is the first Quju Opera production adapted for smaller theater settings. With its bold, contemporary twist, the play invites modern audiences into a world that straddles tradition and innovation.

"Compared to other traditional Chinese art forms, such as the 600-year-old Kunqu Opera or the 200-year-old Peking Opera, Quju is relatively young," says director Bai. "This gave us the space to reimagine the play, injecting it with contemporary flair and daring ideas."

The play's narrative approach also reflects the storytelling techniques of contemporary theater. Wang, as the main character, describes his role as a man who has spent his life striving to be virtuous only to face betrayal, the loss of his son, and a desperate struggle for survival as a low-ranked police officer.

"Though Lao She's story is set in a different era, the themes of life's struggles are timeless," Wang says. "We all face challenges that resonate with this character's journey."

With over 70 performances, the play's reception in China has been positive, with growing enthusiasm from audiences.

"Not many are familiar with Quju Opera, as it appeals to a niche audience," Wang says, noting that the production was staged in South Korea in 2024 during the 28th BeSeTo Theater Festival, an art event jointly hosted by China, Japan and South Korea. "But the feedback has been encouraging. We're thrilled to take the production to a wider audience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival."

In contrast to the somber themes of the play, the production of Peanuts Adventure offers a whimsical journey of self-exploration. Written and directed by Wang Ting, this play invites the audience into a dreamlike world where food takes center stage. Through physical movement and imaginative acting, Wang Ting creates a vibrant, surreal metropolis made of delicious dishes, where a humble peanut embarks on an unexpected adventure.

"When I wrote the story, I was an actress in my 20s struggling with uncertainty about my future," recalls Wang Ting, 42, who works with the Sichuan People's Art Theatre. "Many of my friends and colleagues shared similar feelings. I wanted to capture that confusion and sense of self-discovery in my writing."

Five years later, Wang Ting reimagined the story, transforming it into Peanuts Adventure, a whimsical fairytale for children and adults. The production follows the peanut's quest to escape its destined fate of being eaten. Along the way, it journeys through a restaurant kitchen, a bowl of leftovers and a garbage can, encountering a colorful array of food characters and discovering its own sense of purpose.

The play, adapted into a 50-minute production from its original 90-minute version, will be staged during the festival from July 30 to Aug 3. It features just four actors, each taking on multiple roles to demonstrate the power of simplicity in storytelling while allowing the production to flow smoothly between dreamlike sequences and humorous moments. The use of physical movement adds an engaging visual layer to the performance, making it accessible to all ages.

In addition to The Life of Mine and Peanuts Adventure, a new stage production, The Novice, by director and playwright Liu Guangyuan, will premiere during the Edinburgh festival, with shows running from Aug 1 to 24.

The Novice integrates elements of physical theater, dance, acrobatics, and drama. The production transforms traditional circus disciplines — such as strength routines, the horizontal bar, rings, juggling, and diabolo — and reinterprets them through the language of dance.

The three theatrical productions staged during the Edinburgh festival are part of the ongoing Peiyuan Art Festival, an exciting platform that brings original Chinese theater to international audiences.

Since its inception in 2019, Peiyuan, an incubation platform supporting original Chinese theatrical productions and the organizer of the Peiyuan Art Festival, has launched 75 commercial works staged at theaters nationwide. The second edition promises to push boundaries even further.

Through live performances, script readings, and seminars taking place in Beijing, the Peiyuan Art Festival is dedicated to fostering young talent and showcasing new works in Chinese theater.

"This will be the first time we bring Chinese theatrical productions abroad," says Gao Jiancheng, producer of the festival and founder of Kuanyou Culture, the company behind Peiyuan. "It's not just about sharing Chinese culture, but presenting powerful explorations of universal themes that transcend the boundaries of history, society and identity."