Love, Chekhov, presented by the National Theatre of China is an innovative tribute to world classic dramas from the Chinese stage. Its production was conceived in 2020 to commemorate the 160
th anniversary of the birth of Chekhov, the “Father of Modern Drama”, and it was successfully premiered in April 2021 as the Theatre’s latest drama commission. Produced in honour of Chekhov, a “great person that would live forever”, the drama provides a youthful interpretation of classics in a new narrative approach from a contemporary perspective.
The drama is in itself an innovative “recombination” of Chekhov’s world of literature. Written and directed by ZHA Wenhao, it’s a mixture of three one-act comedies -
The Bear,
The Proposal and
The Wedding, which are “bright pearls” among Chekhov’s dramatic works. The three playlets are all relaxing and laughable. And being of the hyperbolic style commonly seen in popular comedies, they echo one another in an intertextual manner. Besides, in the drama are famous characters and plotlines from some of Chekhov’s novels, including
The Man in the Case,
A Joke,
The Bride and
About Love. Owing to the use of a creative narrative technique, “cross-cutting”, the characters from different works are able to appear in the same scenes in concord. Their voices sound like a symphony of echoes, jointly forming a “world parallel to Chekhov’s world of literature” about love and life. Such a structure is quite different from traditional narratives, because it allows several stories to take place together on the stage, making it possible to explore “love”, an eternal theme of life, from the perspective of contemporary youth.
Love, Chekhov has been staged time after time since its premiere in 2021. In 2024, it appeared at leading theatre festivals including the Modern Drama Valley, Shanghai.
The drama has garnered high praise from both critics and audiences. TIAN Qinxin, President of the National Theatre of China, spoke highly of its innovation, likening it to “a grafted pear tree with plump flesh and sweet syrup”. Theatre experts generally regard it as a successful “classic interpretation of youth”. As a relaxing and laughable lyric comedy, the drama is filled with a kind of vitality that is very attractive to contemporary audiences, especially the young. This was confirmed by the cheerful atmosphere, the audience’s laughter and their positive response in the past performances.
*Please purchase tickets through authorized channels to avoid counterfeiting. Before completing your purchase, please verify the performance date, time, venue, and seat number carefully. Performance tickets are time-sensitive and limited in availability. Once a transaction has been completed, tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable and cannot be reissued if lost. Please double-check all ticketing details and securely retain your physical ticket or electronic order. If you are unable to attend due to personal reasons, please make your own arrangements regarding the use of your tickets. We appreciate your understanding as any inconvenience caused.
*The cast, programme, or other performance details are subject to change and shall be based on the live performance. In the event of major adjustments - such as changes to the performance date or lead cast - please refer to the official announcements issued by the NCPA and follow the relevant procedures as instructed.
*The NCPA opens 90 minutes before performances, and 60 minutes before art education lectures and similar events. Auditorium entry begins 45 minutes before performances. For all performances and events, the Northern entrance serves as the sole public entrance. Please ensure that ticket scanning and security screening are completed prior to entry, and allow sufficient time to avoid delays.
*Tickets must be retained in their original, intact condition. Admission will be denied for tickets lacking a stub, or bearing any alterations, obscured information, or defacement. Each ticket is valid for a single entry on the date of the performance. For certain performances, presentation of original valid identification documents is required. Admission will be granted only when the ticket information corresponds with the presented identification.
*Recommended admission height: 1.2 meters and above. Special provisions may apply to certain performances or events, as indicated on the corresponding ticketing page.
*All attendees are required to undergo security screening upon entry. Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited within the NCPA premises. Prohibited items include, but not limited to, firearms and replicas, controlled knives, flammable or explosive substances, toxic or hazardous materials, corrosive substances, and radioactive materials. Any prohibited items discovered will be handed over to public security authorities.
*For safety and hygiene reasons, the NCPA does not provide storage services for food, beverages, or similar items. The following items are not permitted inside the NCPA: food and drinks, flags & banners, electronic cigarettes, power banks exceeding 20000mAh, flowers, recording or photography equipment, and oversized luggage.
*Attendees are requested to address appropriately. Admissions will be denied to individuals who are improperly attired or under the influence of alcohol.
*If you are late, please wait quietly in the audience waiting area. Entry will be permitted under the guidance of ushers during appropriate intermissions or between movements, and you are requested to take the nearest available seat with minimal disturbance. For concerts consisting of a single piece - either for the entire performance or a complete half - late arrivals and audience who leave midway will not be admitted.
*All attendees are requested to observe proper performance etiquette. Please keep quiet and remain seated throughout the entire performance. Mobile phones should be turned off or set to silent mode, and calls should not be made in the auditorium. Photography, audio, or video recording of the performance is strictly prohibited without prior permission. The use of flashlights, including phone flashlights, is not allowed.
* After the performance, please exit the auditoriums in an orderly manner. Loitering is discouraged.
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