Synopsis
A satirical historical comedy written, directed, and starring Chen Peisi, adapted from the critically acclaimed stage play of the same name with a Douban rating of 9.2. Featuring Huang Bo, Jiang Wu, and Yin Zheng, it tells the absurd story of a Republican-era theater troupe navigating a chaotic world.
Overview
The Stage is a satirical historical comedy written and directed by Chen Peisi, adapted from the stage play of the same name. The film was released in mainland China on July 25, 2025, starring Chen Peisi, Huang Bo, Jiang Wu, Yin Zheng, and Yu Shaoqun. It holds a Douban rating of 7.9, with over 50,000 ratings.
The original stage play boasts an impressive Douban rating of 9.2, making it one of the most acclaimed domestic plays in recent years. The film version, personally helmed by Chen Peisi, transforms stage performance into cinematic storytelling while preserving the comedic essence of the original work.
Plot
Set during the Republic of China era, the story unfolds in a theater where rehearsals for the Peking opera Farewell My Concubine are in full swing. Theater manager Manager Wu tries to curry favor with various factions, leading to a series of misunderstandings and mishaps.
Da Sang'er, a loud-voiced worker, is mistaken for a famous actor by chance and is specifically requested by General Hong to perform. The theater troupe scrambles in chaos, with fake and real versions of Farewell My Concubine alternating on stage, turning the entire theater into a hilarious mess.
The film uses absurd comedy to depict the helplessness and wisdom of ordinary people in turbulent times. Amid warlord conflicts and widespread suffering, the theater troupe steadfastly holds onto their stage, using opera art to confront the absurdity of the era.
Cast
| Character | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hou Xiting | Chen Peisi | Theater troupe pillar, writer-director-actor |
| Da Sang'er | Huang Bo | Loud-voiced worker mistaken for a star |
| General Hong | Jiang Wu | Warlord representative |
| Jin Xiaotian | Yin Zheng | Famous Peking opera actor |
| Manager Wu | Yang Haoyu | Theater manager who plays both sides |
| Feng Xiaotong | Yu Shaoqun | Opera performer |
Production Background
The original stage play The Stage was created and performed by Chen Peisi, receiving widespread acclaim since its premiere with a Douban rating of 9.2. The stage version toured for years, accumulating a large base of loyal fans.
Chen Peisi is a renowned Chinese comedy actor who had been away from film directing for many years. While some viewers found the audiovisual language of this film adaptation less refined, its comedic effect and script quality were still recognized.
The film version enlisted powerhouse actors such as Huang Bo and Jiang Wu, adding more highlights to the work. Within two days of release, total box office revenue exceeded 100 million yuan, demonstrating strong market appeal.
Cultural Significance
Set against the backdrop of Peking opera, The Stage showcases the charm of traditional Chinese opera culture. Against the historical context of warlord conflicts, the theater troupe's spirit of preserving art is deeply moving.
Through comedic techniques, the film explores the relationship between art and power, as well as the theme of upholding cultural heritage in chaotic times. This aligns with Chen Peisi's consistent focus on the fate of ordinary people and social realities.
References
- Douban: https://m.douban.com/movie/subject/35483395/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/戏台/57206114
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/戏台_(电影)
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