Classic comedy returns with contemporary twist

The show begins with the classic red curtain raising and a wandering retro caravan appearing onstage.

The adaptation of The Miser by the Beijing People's Art Theatre returned to the stage on Feb 28 at the Cao Yu Theatre and will run until Sunday.

Going deeper into the performance, the experience is like time travel, with the 17th-century setting unfolding before the audience's eyes.

Paying homage to renowned French writer Moliere, who embarked on a 13-year theatrical journey to regions outside major cities in France, the Chinese adaptation co-directed by Lin Cong and Yang Jiayin weaves in a narrative that reveals itself against the backdrop of a traveling theater company, mirroring Moliere's experiences.

In bringing this nearly 400-year-old classic to the stage, the theater has made a series of bold innovations.

Not only did they make the script more relevant to contemporary times, they also added another layer to the dramatic structure, setting the performance within a wandering troupe of actors performing The Miser.

This dual narrative perspective, both inside and outside the play, allows the exploration of the classic comedy from different angles. The comedy troupe's hilarious blunders and frequent "mistakes" enhance the interaction with the audience.