Reporter: Marina Vilchinskaia, video: Liu Xudong

The Chinese rendition of Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns’ stage adaptation of “The Shawshank Redemption,” featuring a cast of Chinese-speaking expatriates, debuted at Pingshan Theater on Jan. 4. 

Produced by Shenzhen and crafted by Pingshan, the play stars 11 expat actors hailing from eight countries: Finland, Canada, the U.S., France, Argentina, Italy, Russia and Australia. Directed by veteran Chinese actor Zhang Guoli, this production marks a groundbreaking moment as Stephen King’s classic story is performed entirely in Chinese by all foreign artists. Following its debut at the Pingshan Theater, the play is scheduled for performances at Shenzhen Poly Theater on Jan. 12-14, with subsequent showings in Shanghai and Beijing.

The cast arrived in Shenzhen in early December for intensive rehearsals at Pingshan Theater. Now, some cast members shared their feelings about the play before the debut.