When audiences step into a theatre in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou and settle under the lights, they might be transported back to the early 20th century. At the heart of this time-bending experience is Zhu Hongxuan, a Peking University alumna who has made it her mission to spotlight the thinkers and dreamers who shaped China's modern identity.
Drawing on her alma mater's legacy of progressive thought, Zhu has crafted a series of productions that breathe new life into the lives and ideas of intellectual giants. Her latest play, Echoes of Thought, stitches together personal letters, journal entries and historical essays from figures like Lu Xun and Liang Qichao. The result? A multi-sensory journey that feels both deeply rooted in the past and thrillingly contemporary.
Tech-infused design is a hallmark of Zhu's work. Layered projections of archival photos, interactive set pieces and bespoke soundscapes blur the line between stage and screen, inviting viewers to engage with history on their own terms. Digital streams of her shows have already attracted fans across Europe and North America, proving that the universal appeal of intellectual curiosity knows no borders.
"I want people to see these thinkers not as distant icons, but as humans wrestling with big ideas," Zhu explains. "Their questions about society, justice and progress still resonate today." By framing debates from a century ago in fresh theatrical language, she sparks conversations on innovation, cultural identity and the role of intellectuals in shaping our collective future.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and activists alike, Zhu's theatre offers more than a history lesson. It's a call to explore how ideas travel through time, and how each of us can contribute to the ongoing story of human thought. In an age where rapid change often obscures the past, her productions offer a vibrant reminder: today's breakthroughs stand on the shoulders of yesterday's pioneers.
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Zhu Hongxuan’s productions spotlight intellectuals from bygone era
cgtn.com
