Huppert headlines in Beijing

Isabelle Huppert strode into the interview room with the effortless elegance that has become her hallmark. Clad in a long black coat, white pants, and a pair of chic sunglasses that caught the room's light, her presence was magnetic.

One of France's most acclaimed actresses, she was in Beijing for her performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in US playwright Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie.

The production, staged from Wednesday to Friday as part of the NCPA International Theatre Festival 2024, marked her debut at the iconic venue as it brought to an audience her theatrical prowess well-versed in both modern and classical stage performances.

The play explores the fragility of dreams and relationships through the lens of a family: Amanda, her daughter Laura and her son Tom. Laura, who wears a leg brace, is painfully shy and often seeks solace in her collection of small glass animals. Tom, through whose memory the events are seen, is desperate to escape his stifling home life and warehouse job.

Huppert plays Amanda, a mother clinging to memories of a more glamorous past while attempting to navigate the stark realities of her children's futures.

"Amanda is a fascinating character — a mother with a commanding presence and overflowing emotions. She's a central figure in the family, but her relationship with her son can be stifling. Her portrayal resonates deeply with me," said Huppert during an interview at the NCPA on Tuesday.

"The play touches on themes of escapism, particularly through the son's fascination with cinema, which symbolizes another world. Williams himself had a deep connection to film, and this play feels like a tribute to that medium."

She adds that this play is almost a portrait of Williams himself. It reflects the strained relationships in his own life — his mentally fragile sister, and a mother who was neurotic and overbearing. There's a sense of violence and injustice in the family dynamics, which likely mirrored his personal experiences.