Have you heard? A fresh take on one of China’s greatest classics just made its debut in Beijing 🎭. Titled When Baoyu and Daiyu Shared the Pages of the Western Chamber, this shadow puppet play adapts a beloved chapter from Dream of the Red Mansion—and it’s breaking new ground with English and French versions!
Presented in late November 2025, the production is backed by Beijing Foreign Studies University, which helped translate the script. Whether you speak English or French, you can now follow the light and shadow dance of Baoyu and Daiyu, two of Chinese literature’s most iconic characters. Talk about cultural cosplay IRL! 🌍
Lin Zhonghua, head of shadow puppetry at the China Folk Literature and Art Association, says this is more than a flashy remix. It’s a bridge for global cultural exchange and fills a gap in the traditional shadow puppet repertoire by bringing scenes from Dream of the Red Mansion to life.
For young audiences in South and Southeast Asia, this is a perfect mashup of old-school charm and modern flair. Imagine streaming a live show of intricately carved puppets, plus translations that make it easy to connect with the story of love, fate, and family drama.
Feeling inspired? Keep an eye out for touring dates or online streams. This is how classics get a global glow-up—one shadow at a time! ✨
Reference(s):
'Dream of the Red Mansion' shadow puppet play premieres in Beijing
cgtn.com
