Minimal set, maximum impact

Feng Yuanzheng and Yan Nan take on the main roles in the play, Enigma Variations, a Chinese stage adaptation of the novel by French author and dramatist Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. When the Beijing People's Art Theatre introduced its upcoming production of the Enigma Variations, a Chinese adaptation of the 1996 novel by French author and dramatist Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, the theater presented a glimpse of the stage set, which is minimalist yet rich in symbolism, and reflects the production's themes of isolation and introspection. According to Feng, who is also the president of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, the idea of creating a Chinese adaptation of the Enigma Variations dates back to 2008, when Xu was first chosen to play the role of Larsen. The novel's rich inner monologues and introspection are challenging to convey onstage but the adaptation balances these elements by focusing on the verbal exchange between the characters and using symbolism to represent the deeper themes.