Tour of historical play "Jianzhen" kicks off in June

A news conference on May 30 announces that the Jiangsu tour of the historical play Jianzhen starts on June 5. [Photo/yznews.com.cn]

The historical play, Jianzhen, created by the research institute of Yangzhou opera, will be staged at Yangzhou Grand Theater, in eastern Jiangsu province, on June 5, kicking off its Jiangsu tour.

The play tells the story of Jianzhen and his disciples' voyage to Japan to spread the word of Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty (618-903), and is staged in the form of Yangzhou opera.

It is directed by Han Jianying, a renowned theater director in China, and the script is written by Xie Boliang, professor of the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts.

While retaining the essential characteristics of drama, the play fully shows the charm of Yangzhou opera.

According to the tour schedule, Jianzhen will be staged in Suqian, Taizhou, Changzhou, Wuxi and Nanjing from June to August.