To be, or not to be Hamlet today

The 35-year-old Zheng has gained a large fan following for his roles in musical productions.

In 2021, he won recognition for his performance as Eben Cabot in the Beijing People's Art Theatre's adaptation of Desire Under the Elms, a three-part tragedy written by US playwright Eugene O'Neill. The successful collaboration with the theater propelled Zheng to become an actor of the theater.

Actress Lu Lu, 28, who plays Ophelia, says that performing Shakespeare is both thrilling and exhilarating.

"The beauty of this work lies in discovering new possibilities through repeated rehearsals," she says. "Ophelia is not just a tragic figure; she is alive, lovable, and, at times, heartbreakingly fragile."

Visually, the production embraces an experimental style. Feng describes a stage featuring suspended ladders, sliding beams, and dramatic lighting that expands the space vertically and horizontally.

"The audience won't see a castle. Instead, they'll encounter the aesthetic of a decaying theater, intensifying the tension between reason and emotion."

The 2025 production will also open the Beijing People's Art Theatre International Drama Invitation Exhibition. Through this annual global event, the play will engage in a cultural dialogue with international theatrical traditions and explore the evolving nature of Shakespeare's work in contemporary theater.