Four Generations In One House
Produced and presented by the National Theatre of China (NTC) and directed by Tian Qinxin, President of the NTC, Four Generations in One House brings to the stage one of the most significant works by literary master Lao She.
Set during a transformative period in China’s modern history, the story follows the lives and inner struggles of ordinary families in Beiping as they navigate social change and moral choice. Regarded by Lao She as possibly his finest work, the novel is recognised among the “Top 100 Chinese Novels” and is celebrated for its enduring literary, artistic, and cultural significance.
Using a “New Realism” approach, the production recreates the everyday life of a Beijing hutong, weaving together family relationships, personal destinies, and the quiet resilience of ordinary people. Through restrained yet powerful performances and detailed period staging, Four Generations in One House unfolds as a deeply human story—one that reflects cultural memory, emotional depth, and the timeless complexity of family and society.
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The play was absolutely brilliant. The portrayal of ordinary people was vivid and deeply engaging, with clearly defined characters and a tightly structured plot. It brought to life, in a most compelling way, the living conditions in war-torn Beijing during the 1930s.
The actors demonstrated exceptional mastery of their lines—truly a cast of top-tier performers. Some of the storytelling techniques were particularly ingenious. The English subtitles, however, did not always fully capture the intended meaning; with further refinement, they could be even better.
The coordination of lighting and sound was seamless. Overall, it was a flawless performance, and I look forward to seeing more productions of this national caliber.
A moving and beautiful story, superb acting, staging and costumes. Poignant and poetic. An Epic tale of the impact of waring invasions on a family and community. See it even if you don't speak Mandarin.
Top notch theatre. I was taken back in time, immersed in the story. Great performance from the whole cast, cannot imagine a better play than this.