Beijing, Chinese mainland—On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Beijing People’s Art Theatre (BPAT) welcomed Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, as part of Mr. Macron’s state visit to the Chinese mainland.
During the visit, the two cultural envoys toured BPAT’s historic stages, met with the artistic director, and gained an in-depth look at ongoing collaborations between the Chinese mainland and French theatre communities. They explored the elaborate stage set of the classic Chinese play “Teahouse,” watched a live segment, and engaged in a lively conversation with cast members.
“Teahouse” first captured international attention in 2019 when it was invited to the Festival d’Avignon—the first Chinese play to be featured at one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary arts festivals. Olivier Py, then director of the festival, called it one of the best productions he had ever seen.
Building on this momentum, BPAT unveiled its Chinese adaptation of Moliere’s “The Miser” in April 2024, drawing praise for its inventive staging. More recently, in late October 2025, the theatre hosted “Les Paravents” (The Screens) during the 2025 BPAT International Theatre Invitation Exhibition at the Capital Theatre, marking the first full run of the French classic drama in the Chinese mainland.
These milestones reflect a dynamic cultural dialogue that bridges tradition and innovation. As BPAT continues to foster Sino-French exchanges, young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, and culture seekers can look forward to more groundbreaking performances that celebrate shared narratives and creative collaboration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
