Scenes from A Doll's House directed by Wang Huan, which is on at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre from Friday to Sunday. The center's rendition of the play premiered in 2019. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

It may have been almost a century since A Doll's House by Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) sparked heated discussions in China about the role of women in a fast-changing society, but theater director Wang Huan believes the production remains germane in today's context.

"The social reality has changed, but the issues discussed in the play are still highly relevant, from familial roles to ethical values," says Wang, who directed the third round of the play. "I want today's audience to see that it isn't just Nora the heroine, but everyone in the play, who has shackles cast on them."

The play is on at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre from Friday to Sunday. The center's rendition of the play premiered in 2019.

"I want to present the story of all the six characters, and highlight the connections between them," Wang adds. "For example, you might see the character Christine Linde as the independent woman Nora could have become, and notice the difficult situation she is in and the choices she makes."

Published in 1879, A Doll's House tells the story of Torvald, who sees himself as morally superior to his wife Nora, whom he deems to be an irresponsible, free-spending woman. When a stranger emerges and threatens to expose Nora for a fraud she had committed years ago, Torvald snaps and repudiates her. Nora soon leaves him to live her own life.

Scenes from A Doll's House directed by Wang Huan, which is on at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre from Friday to Sunday. The center's rendition of the play premiered in 2019. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The play was first translated and introduced to China in the 1910s. In 2014, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing premiered its version of the play, which saw its 10th round of shows held last month.

This is the third play Wang has directed since joining the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre in 2014. The director started his training as a visual artist and worked for eight years as a stage designer before leaving to study in the United Kingdom and work at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

"Today, we, Chinese theater practitioners, are capable of presenting quality interpretations of Western theatrical classics and initiating artistic dialogue with colleagues in the global theater scene," he says. "I wish to keep on creating more classical works, and find the connection with today's people."

If you go

A Doll's House

7:30 pm, Friday-Saturday; 2 pm, Sunday.

Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, 288 Anfu Road, Xuhui district, Shanghai.

021-6431-4775