On November 30, 2025, Beijing audiences gathered for the premiere of 'When Baoyu and Daiyu Shared the Pages of the Western Chamber' 🎭, a shadow puppet play that brings to life a beloved chapter from the classic novel Dream of the Red Mansion.
Supported by Beijing Foreign Studies University, this innovative production breaks new ground with both English and French versions. Whether you catch it in Mandarin, English, or French, the timeless story of Baoyu and Daiyu unfolds through intricate puppetry, vibrant visuals, and poetic narration.
Lin Zhonghua, who oversees shadow puppetry at the China Folk Literature and Art Association, applauded this project as a milestone. He highlighted how the multilingual twist not only opens doors for overseas performances and cultural exchange, but also fills a gap in traditional shadow puppet repertoires by adapting a theme from Dream of the Red Mansion.
For young travelers and culture enthusiasts, this show is more than a performance: it's a bridge between centuries-old Chinese folk arts and global audiences. Keep an eye out—this cross-cultural gem may soon tour beyond the Chinese mainland! 🌟
Reference(s):
'Dream of the Red Mansion' shadow puppet play premieres in Beijing
cgtn.com
