The drama Those Who Survived  Photo: Courtesy of the China Theatre Association

It is freezing cold in Beijing as the city is suffering a wave of extreme cold. However, this hasn't stopped young people's enthusiasm for theater as the Beijing International Theater Center on Tuesday night hosted the drama Those Who Survived, staged by Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania, and the Radu Stanca National Theatre.

Kicking off the New Era International Showcase of Campus Theatre, the adaptation of Euripides' Trojan Women and Hecuba tells the story of the women who survived the Trojan War. 

The powerful performance has led Chinese audiences into the charming world of theater. 

"The play is eye-catching and also helped me to have a better understanding of the way of thinking and expression of different cultures thanks to the passionate interpretation by actors from Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu," said one audience member, a 20-year-old woman surnamed Wang. 

The international showcase is scheduled to run until December 23 and includes a seminar on Wednesday that aims to explore diversity and integration in campus dramas. Scholars from Beijing People's Art Theatre, The Central Academy of Drama, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and The Korea National University of Arts will share their experiences concerning campus theater and how cultural changes bring them new ideas and innovation.  

"Various dramas from Romania, South Korea and others will be performed in Beijing, a city that stands witness to the style and talent of young dramatists," Fu Yixuan, secretary-general of the China Theatre Association, told the Global Times. "Young dramatists are the future of drama and the hope of culture. We will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with domestic and foreign drama circles to provide learning and chances to grow to young dramatists."

Photo: Courtesy of the China Theatre Association