Can you imagine a group of middle school students performing a 2-hour professional play with 40,000 words of dialogue?
On January 23-24, 2026, this "mission impossible" became a reality at Tsinghua International School (THIS). The drama Wotou Hui Guan (written by Liu Heng, officially licensed), entirely directed, performed, and scored by the Zhenyi Club, was brilliantly staged in the THUHS auditorium. The two-hour performance was not only a revival of a classic but also a brilliant showcase of youthful talent, earning continuous applause and acclaim from the audience.
From Club leader
Heiler Kee: The story of Wotou Hui Guan takes place in 1948 in Beiping. In the southern part of the city lies a dilapidated tenement courtyard called "Wotou Hui Guan." The landlord, Yuan Guozhong (Big Head Yuan), barely makes ends meet by collecting rent while desperately saving money to treat his son, Yuan Jiangmiao, who suffers from a lung disease. The courtyard houses various people from the lower rungs of society: the former Qing dynasty scholar Gu Yuezong, the fried liver vendor chef Wang Liben, the kind-hearted Tian Cuilan, the sharp-tongued but soft-hearted Jin Murong, and others. They fight daily over rent, medicine, and survival money—a true "courtyard survival story." One play reveals the hardships of life under a troubled era's roof; one courtyard condenses the truest joys and sorrows amid darkness.
The THIS Zhenyi Club chose this play for two main reasons at the start of the semester. First, as the school's Chinese drama club, they wanted a story that better reflects Chinese cultural characteristics. Wotou Hui Guan, with its distinctive Beijing dialect and vivid vernacular dialogues, perfectly met this need. Second, the club sought a script focused on ensemble portrayal, allowing more drama enthusiasts in the club to perform. Wotou Hui Guan excels in character development, with each role fleshed out, weaving together a vivid tapestry of Beiping's underclass. Furthermore, the play reflects an entire era through a single courtyard, hailed as "a lament for the lives of the lower class," profoundly interpreting the core theme of "upholding dignity in hardship and hoping for renewal amidst ruins," making it the club's final choice.
Interviews & Post-Show Talks
Voices from the Audience and Creative Team
Director and Researcher, Chinese National Academy of Arts Drama Institute Chen Xi:
“I had the privilege of watching the THIS students‘ performance. It is no small feat for the students, both on and off stage, to complete such a challenging professional play with remarkable competence. Every detail on stage reflected the students' deep understanding of their characters and their dedication to acting. The true charm of drama lies in this direct experience and profound empathy. I believe the insights and strength gained from staging such a classic will extend far beyond the stage, enriching the students' lives long-term. I salute their courage in taking on this classic, congratulate them on a successful performance, and wish the Zhenyi Club a lasting artistic journey and an even brighter future.”
Executive Principal of THIS, Performed as Yuan Guozhong's Wife and Narrator, Zhu Ying:
“Arts education is a vital part of THIS's holistic education, and "East-West integration" is one of the school's distinctive features. Our students excel not only in English drama but also in performing Chinese classics. When teacher Ms. Zhang Chaoran invited me to join the performance as a special guest, I agreed without hesitation!
A full two-hour drama requires immense rehearsal time from both students and teachers. The students sometimes rehearsed for four or five hours, even up to seven hours at times. Their passion and commitment to art and drama are truly admirable. Participating fully in their rehearsals and performances made me deeply proud of them.”
Dean of Faculty of THIS Ms. Jeanne Croker:
“The actors of the Chinese Drama Club performed exceptionally well! Although my Chinese is limited and I didn't understand every line, the emotions they conveyed through their acting truly resonated. A total of twenty-nine students participated, showcasing remarkable teamwork. The entire production was spectacular!”
THIS Chinese Teacher, Zhenyi Club Advisor, Zhang Chaoran
“From preparation to performance, we had less than a month for this play. With the immense workload of actor lines, stage props, and more, the students invested tremendous effort and heart into this production. There were many high-pressure moments where everyone was near breaking point, but the students came together, encouraged each other, and persevered through their passion. They truly deserve praise!
THIS students possess not only a global perspective but also a deep concern for Chinese society—its past, present, and future. I am incredibly proud of their outstanding performance! In the future, the Zhenyi Club will present works of more diverse themes, and students will create more original pieces. Stay tuned!””
THIS Zhenyi Club leaders，Stage Managers Amelie Wu, Heiler Kee
Heiler Kee:“As stage managers, the club leaders and behind-the-scenes workers, I witnessed firsthand how hard the actors worked, spending countless extracurricular hours rehearsing. Backstage, we often worried for them, but they delivered flawlessly. We are immensely satisfied and moved! I am especially grateful to all our backstage crew for their unwavering support, which made this production possible.
Additionally, as the lyricist and composer of the original theme song for Wotou Hui Guan, I aimed to reflect the play's profound message. Through it, we see the struggles of impoverished people before the founding of New China, culminating in a hopeful ending. Thus, the music starts somber but ends warmly. The lyrics were written to correspond with each act's content.”
Amelie Wu:“The meaningful aspect of THIS's Chinese Drama Zhenyi Club is that students experience diverse emotions through drama. They don't just play a role; they see a whole new world through that character's eyes.”
Alex Hou Played Yuan Guozhong:“Before joining the Zhenyi Club, I wasn't very interested in drama. Friends persuaded me to join, but through fun rehearsals, I gradually began to enjoy the process. Rehearsals were tiring, but being with everyone made it worthwhile. Another reason we persevered is that we performed for ourselves, driven by passion. Even without an audience, we would have performed because we invested our hearts and time into creating this play. Regardless of audience size or outcome, enjoying the process and our shared experience was what mattered most.”
Freya Chen Played Tian Cuilan: “In Wotou Hui Guan, I played Tian Cuilan, having also performed in last year's play Four Letters. We rehearsed extensively before the official performance, investing much time. Initially, I lacked confidence, unsure if I could memorize two hours of lines. I am especially grateful to our teachers Ms. Zhang Chaoran, Mr. Qian Chao, and the Chinese department for guiding us and helping the club members, making this performance possible. I am honored to have been part of it and hope for more such opportunities!”
Brian Yao Played Gu Yuezong:“My experience with this play was that rehearsals were extremely demanding. Completing rehearsals for a 42,000-word script in just over 20 days was a challenge for all of us. It was our collective effort that brought this play to life. I am incredibly proud of our team and thrilled to have witnessed the play's journey from inception to performance.”
Ethan Ma Played Xiao Qishan:“My character, Xiao Qishan, is somewhat of an antagonist. Playing a villain made me reflect more on understanding and guarding against darker aspects, ensuring not to fall into such darkness or lose oneself. It was also a fresh experience that enriched my acting.
The biggest challenge was the extensive lines coupled with tight deadlines. Having little prior drama experience or major roles, this was a personal challenge that deepened my understanding of character portrayal and drama as an art form.”
Royce Li, Played Xiao Pengda:“My main action in this play was shooting Yuan Guozhong. When I got the script, I realized Xiao Pengda was a villain. Well, I think villains aren't so bad—they even get shooting scenes, which added to my acting experience. Thank you all.”
Jerry Yu, Played Zhou Yupu: “After performing in Four Letters last time, I thought I wouldn't join again. Yet, here I was for Wotou Hui Guan. Now that it's over, I'm thinking I won't join next time, but I'll probably reconsider. Rehearsals were very time-consuming, and everyone put in great effort. However, the two-day performance brought many pleasant surprises. I think everyone was fantastic.”
Edward Guan, Played Wang Liben; Eason Cui, Played Yuan Jiangmiao
Edward Guan: “I think our team was very united. We had a great time rehearsing together, and everyone was deeply committed. Each person gave their best to make this play excellent.”
Eason Cui: “This experience strengthened my mindset. Although we were initially daunted by the challenge, once rehearsals got on track, we became very diligent—practicing lines whenever free and often rehearsing late. Hard work paid off. We were very satisfied with both performances, with no major mistakes. Thank you for the audience's support.”
The production of Wotou Hui Guan was not just a stage revival of an era's story but also a transformative journey for the Zhenyi Club. Over several months, from script readings to final performance, students sacrificed their spare time and weekends, dedicating themselves to perfecting the show.
Throughout this process, everyone's talents shone: actors portrayed characters with depth on stage, the props team maximized their hands-on skills, and the publicity team showcased their design talents through posters, brochures, and commemorative tickets...
The drama experience transcended mere "acting," becoming a warm, co-created world by the club. When the curtain fell, what Zhenyi gained was not just a performance but a genuine creative community.
Cast
（Character - Actor）
Yuan Guozhong—Alex Hou
Gu Yuezong— Brian Yao
Xiao Qishan— Ethan Ma
Zhou Yupu— Jerry Yu
Tian Cuilan— Freya Chen
Jin Murong— Louisa Li
Niu Dafen—Jasper Jin
Guan Fudou—Skyler Wang
Yuan Jiangmiao— Eason Cui
Zhou Ziping—Sophia Yao
Xiao Pengda—Royce Li
Wang Xiuyun—Loe Chen
Wang Liben—Edward Guan
Yuan Guozhong's Wife（Narrator）—Renee Zhu
Lighting & Sound Effects:
Linda Jia
Nicole Ji
Publicity & Promotion:
Wendy Jiao
Zerlina Liu
Susanna Huo
Nancy Fan
Kathy Wang
Cathy Wang
Stage Design & Prop Coordination:
Jadie Lian
Allison Qian
Meiyan Liu
Vivian Xu
Lilian Tang
Libby Meng
Vicky Wang
Stage Crew:
Wiston Dai
Actor Makeup & Styling:
Cecilia Liu
Allison Qian
Photography:
Rocky Hoi
Zack Li
Theme Song Lyricist & Composer:
Heiler Kee
Theme Song Performer:
Nancy Fan
Theme Song MV Editor:
Jerry Yu
Stage Manager:
Amelie Wu
Heiler Kee
Club Advisor:
Chaoran Zhang
