The opening performance of stage play Wencheng at the Aranya Theatre Festival has sparked widespread discussion online following its premiere on June 17.
The performances of lead cast members Zhou Dongyu, Chen Minghao, and Duan Yihong drew mixed reactions from audiences, with some expressing disappointment over the actors’ apparent reliance on teleprompters.
Several attendees claimed that the cast frequently referred to on-stage scripts during the performance.
Reports from audience members also mentioned missed lines, moments of laughter outside the script, breaks for drinking water, and what some described as a lack of energy on stage.
The criticism intensified due to the show’s ticket prices.
According to ticketing platform Damai, tickets for Wencheng, which runs from June 17 to 20, ranged from 480 to 880 yuan and were sold out as of June 19.
Some viewers said they paid premium resale prices, with tickets reaching as high as 1,280 yuan.
Responding to the controversy, director and cast member Chen Minghao explained that the production team had never required actors to memorize their lines.
His remarks triggered further debate about audience expectations and professional standards in modern theatre productions.
Meanwhile, third-party data indicated that Zhou Dongyu’s social media accounts lost approximately 31,000 followers over the past 30 days amid the ongoing controversy. (Overseasidol.com)
No Response