Teahouse returns in tribute to a legendary director

The crisp sound of a bone board echoed through the theater, followed by the familiar, catchy rhythms of shulai bao (a traditional performance style), as the curtain slowly rose. The Yutai Teahouse, a beloved cultural landmark onstage, once again opened its doors to eager audiences.

Beijing People's Art Theatre presented its iconic production Teahouse on Monday, to celebrate the 120th birth anniversary of its legendary director, Jiao Juyin (1905-75). More than a theatrical event, the performance served as a heartfelt tribute to the founder of Beijing People's Art Theatre and a long-awaited reunion between the play and its audience.

The run of Teahouse will continue until Dec. 11 — the day marking Jiao's 120th birthday. As the chief director of the renowned Beijing theater, Jiao devoted his life to advancing Chinese theater. He not only laid the foundation for the theater's realist creations but also established its distinct artistic style.

Jiao's directorial work on Teahouse is regarded as the pinnacle of the theater's repertoire. According to Feng Yuanzheng, president of Beijing People's Art Theatre, also a veteran actor who plays Song Erye in Teahouse, the play has become a cultural symbol of both the theater and the development of Chinese drama.

"Jiao's Teahouse is not only our theater's signature work but also a classic that represents the zenith of Chinese realism onstage. Every time the curtain rises, the audience greets it with applause. This has become a unique phenomenon in the theater world," says Yang Lixin, who plays Qin Erye.

Since its premiere in 1958, Teahouse, written by Lao She and first directed by Jiao and Xia Chun, has been staged over 700 times. The performances of the theater's legendary artists like Zu Shizhi, Zheng Rong, Lan Tianye, Ying Ruocheng, and many others shaped the first golden era of the play's stage legacy.

In 1999, the second generation of Teahouse was directed by Lin Zhaohua, and in 2005, the original cast members restored Jiao's version under Lin's artistic guidance. Renowned actors including Liang Guanhua, Pu Cunxin, Yang Lixin and He Bing, inherited and expanded the essence of Jiao's vision.

In recent years, younger actors have carried the tradition forward, enriching the performance and creating a dynamic generational progression.

"Now, many of the younger roles have been taken over by the new actors. This smooth generational exchange ensures that Teahouse retains its original spirit without losing its essence," says veteran actor Pu.

Following the success of this latest performance, the theater will continue celebrating Jiao's 120th birth anniversary with a series of events, including special exhibitions, symposiums, and forums for young scholars.