January 8 marked the 986th anniversary of the birth of Su Shi, one of the greatest literati of ancient China. His poems and paintings, ups and downs of life experience, and optimistic attitude towards life are still influencing many people today, even after nearly 1,000 years. The drama Su Dongpo at the Sichuan People’s Art Theatre once again captures Su Shi’s volatile life experience from the age of 44 to his last year at 64. It reflects the “Dongpo Spirit,” specific to broad-minded Su Shi, that shines in Chinese culture.

Behind the drama are two influential individuals: Yao Yuan, a famous screenwriter who has won many Wenhua Awards, and Cha Lifang, one of the top five female directors in the Chinese drama community.

In addition to the overall improvement in the content, the Su Dongpo 2022 version has also blended cultural tourism and artifact exhibition. As a creative project combining cultural tourism, the play is performed at the theater every Saturday. After watching the performance, the audience may take the train to embark on a direct journey from Chengdu to Meishan and from the theater to San Su Shrine.

Moreover, the Sichuan People’s Art Theatre collaborates with the Sichuan Museum to create a new performance model that combines exhibition and drama. The crossover interaction between the drama Su Dongpo and the Su Shi-themed cultural relic exhibition brings Su Dongpo from the stage to the exhibition hall and draws him nearer to his fans.