In 1997, after completing his studies in Russia and returning to China, director ZHA Mingzhe staged his first production:
Morts Sans Sépulture at the Central Experimental Theatre. The production sparked widespread discussion in
academia, artistic, and media circles and was acclaimed as a "comet of classic theatre." Over the nearly three decades since its premiere,
Morts Sans Sépulture has been revived twice, in 2005 and 2014. With each revival and recreation, the play has continued to evolve. As the directors, actors, and audiences grow and accumulate richer personal experiences, their understanding, perspectives, and interpretations of the play have also subtly changed. Through every
reinterpretation, the creative team and performers have continued to deepen and redefine the drama's essence, allowing it to resonate in new and meaningful ways with each generation.
Morts Sans Sépulture (2025 Edition) is part of National Theatre of China’s commemorative performance series marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Directed by Chief Director ZHA Mingzhe, the production features a new cast led by artists from National Theatre of China: HAI Qing, XING Jiadong, ZHA Wenhao, ZHANG Jie, XU Wei, SHAN Guanchao, CHU Shuanzhong, ZOU Yidao, SHI Guanghui, LIANG Jiatong, and others. It was performed at the National Theatre of China from September 2nd to 7th, 2025, exploring the profound choices people face under extreme circumstances through a contemporary perspective.
Creatives
Executive Presenter: TIAN Qinxin
Executive Supervisor: GONG Baojiang
Supervisors: BAI Xuefeng, CHENG Peng
Playwright: Jean-Paul Sartre (France)
Translator: SHEN Zhiming
Chief Director: ZHA Mingzhe
Director: ZHA Wenhao
Set Designer: XUE Dianjie, LIN Yanhua
Lighting Designers: XING Xin, HUANG Yi
Composer: ZOU Ye
Music Designer: WEI Huhu
Costume Designers: WANG Youxuan, CHENG Fang
Makeup Designer: LIU Lian
Prop Designer: DING Guoli
Audio Designers: ZHOU Tao, WANG Zichun
Movement Director: YU Chenxi
Stage Manager: CHEN Lihua
Technical Director: LIN Yanhua
Coordinator of New Commissions: CAO Yining
Production Coordinator: XIAO Han
Publicity Planning: ZHANG Jian
Publicity Coordinator: WANG Liyuan
Cast Coordinators: LIU Hanzhong, WANG Qiaoyi
Set Production Coordinator: GUO Tianqu
Archive Coordinator: HAO Yue
Graphic Designer: HANG-DESIGN STUDIO
Script Supervisor: YANG Kun
Cast
Lucie: HAI Qing
Henri: ZHA Wenhao
Jean: ZHANG Jie
Landrieu: XU Wei
Sorbier: CHU Shuanzhong
Clochet: ZOU Yidao
Pellerin: SHI Guanghui
François: CAO Wenfang
French Militiamen: WANG Dawei, WANG Yaoke, LI Jiayu, WANG Ziwen, TANG Zihao, ZHU Jinliang
In the summer of 1944. In a town of northern France, on the eve of the end of World War II.
Five members of the French Resistance were captured after a failed action and imprisoned in an attic. Amid despair and hatred, they found they had no secrets to protect, only to face fear and torture. Downstairs, fascist members of the French Militia—also trapped by the brutality of war and their own doomed fate—began brutal interrogation and torture. Everything changed when the Resistance commander, the sole survivor who initially escaped capture, was arrested and brought in as an unidentified prisoner. He knew that he must warn his comrades to change their plans and avoid total destruction. Suddenly, the prisoners who thought they had nothing left to hide became people with a vital secret to protect. As hope and despair collided, each of them was forced to make a choice at the brink of death.
Love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal, life and death, courage and fear, nobility and cowardice, self-respect and human dignity—all collide under the extreme pressures of war. Confronted with the nothingness of existence, each character's choices, actions, and sense of responsibility become the ultimate test of what it means to be human and where the true value of life resides.
*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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