Published on May 17, 2026

Rating:

Genre: Drama

Dates: Sunday, June 7, 2026

Venue: Exhibition Theatre

Prices: 100, 180, 280, 380, 480, 580

Features: Thunderstorm, is one of the most representative works in the entire history of Chinese drama. On February 13 of 2026, the classic drama Thunderstorm will be stage in Beijing Exhibition Theatre.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Thunderstorm, is a play by the Chinese dramatist Cao Yu. It is one of the most popular dramatic Chinese works of the period prior to the Japanese invasion of China in 1937.

The drama Thunderstorm was first published in the literary magazine, Four Months of Literature. Shortly after its publication, a production of the play was mounted in Jinan, and later, in 1935, in Shanghai and in Tokyo, both of which were well received. In 1936, Thunderstorm debuted in Nanjing, with Cao Yu himself acting in the lead role.

The subject matter of Thunderstorm is the complex relationship between the members of two households - the Zhou family, upper class and wealthy, the Lu family low class and poor. Specifically, the plot of Thunderstorm centers on the Zhou family's psychological and physical destruction as a result of incest, as perpetrated at the hands of its morally depraved and corrupt patriarch, Zhou Puyuan. Thirty years earlier he sends away the maid Lu Ma having fathered two children with her. Lu Ma's daughter Sifeng returns to become a maid in her place, and falls in love with the young master - her own brother - Zhou Ping, who is having an affair with his step-mother Zhou Fanyi. Zhou Ping discards his step-mother for the maid - his sister, Sifeng. Sifeng is pursued by the other "young master" Zhou Chong, son of Zhou Puyuan and Zhou Fanyi. The play concludes with Sifeng and the two young masters dead, Zhou Fanyi insane, and Lu Ma grief-stricken.

Tickets for Chinese Classic Drama Thunderstorm are Available now!