Audience members gather at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on April 9 for the premiere of “The Story of Wang Luobin.” Photos from the show organizers

Longma Studio’s original play “The Story of Wang Luobin,” developed and rehearsed in Pingshan District, premiered at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on April 9. With melodious tunes and lively singing and dancing, the performance drew sustained cheers and applause from the audience.

Inspired by the life of legendary Chinese folk-song musician Wang Luobin (1913-1996), the drama was written by playwright Zou Jingzhi and stars veteran actor Zhang Guoli. Classic songs composed by Wang during his nearly 60 years in western China — many of which still resonate with Chinese audiences today — are featured throughout the show.

Zhang Guoli (L) in scenes from “The Story of Wang Luobin.”

As the play begins, Wang — now in his twilight years — finds himself alone, drifting into memories. Time and space blur on stage as the audience follows the old musician’s recollections and witnesses his eventful life unfold.

Many audience members said they were moved from start to finish, praising the show’s strong musicality, striking visuals, and heartfelt storytelling — with genuine emotion, warmth, and artistry — along with nuanced lines and vivid performances.

The drama was staged in Beijing on April 9, 11, and 12, and will come to Shenzhen on April 17-18, followed by additional performances across China. 

From script development to rehearsals and final production, much of the work was completed in Pingshan, providing favorable conditions for the Beijing premiere.

Scenes from “The Story of Wang Luobin.”

Back in 2022, “Wing Chun,” a Shenzhen-produced dance drama, rehearsed in Pingshan during its final preparation stage. Over the past three years, the show has been staged more than 300 times worldwide. 

Since Longma Studio relocated to Pingshan in August 2024, the local theater scene has flourished — attracting more professionals and renowned artists and injecting new momentum into the district. In 2024, Pingshan also drew attention with a Chinese-language stage adaptation of “The Shawshank Redemption,” a groundbreaking production performed entirely in Chinese by a cast of foreign actors.

In late 2025, the Longma Studio Guoli Theater Troupe, led by Zhang Guoli, was launched in Pingshan. The troupe will draw on domestic and international theatrical resources to support drama production, performance, training, and the promotion of theater culture.

From hosting rehearsals for premiere productions to attracting top arts groups, Pingshan has become a theater hub — nurturing original creations from conception to the world stage. Its thriving ecosystem and strong support for creativity have helped make “Theater in Pingshan” a standout cultural brand, fueling artistic vitality and proving that Pingshan is fertile ground for exceptional original works.