Ordinary people's lives soar through generations in debut Pingju Opera

A story about ordinary people navigating decades of change in China is finding a new voice on stage, this time through the melodies and theatrical traditions of Pingju Opera.

The China Pingju Opera Theatre's Lifelong Journey, adapted from the award-winning novel by Liang Xiaosheng, made its stage debut in Beijing on Friday and Saturday. The novel, which won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, was also adapted into a hit television drama that earned widespread acclaim for its portrayal of family, ordinary people and social changes over more than half a century.

Set in a working-class neighborhood known as Guangzipian, the story follows two generations of the Zhou family, tracing their struggles, sacrifices and tender moments against the backdrop of China's transformation.

Bringing the story to the Pingju Opera stage offers both an opportunity to revisit a modern literary classic and the challenge of preserving its emotional depth while translating its expansive narrative into the distinct language of traditional Chinese opera.

Pingju Opera has roots in folk performance traditions that developed during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). While many traditional Chinese operas draw on tales of emperors, generals and historical figures, Pingju Opera has long focused on ordinary lives in northern China, exploring themes such as family relationships and society.

Author Liang says the production encouraged him by balancing traditional singing styles with contemporary aesthetics.

The adaptation places particular emphasis on the father, Zhou Zhigang, a figure whose sense of duty and quiet devotion reflect the experiences of an older generation.

"The portrayal might resonate with older audiences while also offering younger theatergoers an accessible introduction to traditional opera," says Liang. For screenwriter Kong Peipei, the main character, Zhou Zhigang, serves as the emotional and spiritual anchor.

Developed over nine months and revised five times, the script moves beyond the original narrative framework to create a theatrical structure centered on the father and his family's experiences. Through relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, and neighbors, the production explores how personal affection and responsibility to the wider community intersect.

"We want to create a contemporary Pingju Opera that combines a realist foundation with poetic expression," says director Zhang Ping. "A trowel that has witnessed the passage of time and a body weathered by years of hard work reflect the spirit of Zhou Zhigang's generation of builders, who devoted themselves to their work without seeking anything in return."

Rather than reproducing everyday life, the production transforms familiar gestures into stylized stage movements, preserving the conventions of traditional Chinese opera while retaining the texture of real life.

This balance between tradition and contemporary storytelling also informs the musical and visual design.

Composer and vocal-style designer Huang Zhaolong notes the goal was to create melodies that audiences would enjoy, remember, and want to hear again, while retaining the distinct sound of Pingju Opera's established vocal traditions.

Set designer Sun Daqing adopted an expressive, suggestive stage space to evoke changing times, while balancing the music's flow with the demands of dramatic storytelling.

Sun Luyang, a leading Pingju Opera performer who plays Zhou Zhigang, described the character as "a silent mountain", carrying the weight of history while sheltering the warmth of his family.

Along with his fellow cast members, Sun explored the inner lives of the Zhou family across two generations and conveyed their joys and sorrows through opera's expressive conventions.

For Pingju Opera, an art form known for its accessible language and strong emotional appeal, Lifelong Journey offers an opportunity to engage with a story deeply rooted in contemporary Chinese life, says Cui Di, the general manager of China Pingju Opera Theatre.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn