An Old Tree or a New Park? 'The See-saw Tree' to be staged as a gift for children

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03:19

We begin today with a holiday present for kids. Written by celebrated British playwright David Wood, the See-saw Tree will debut at the China National Theatre for Children this Saturday. It's the theatre's last new drama of 2018, presented as a new year's gift for children. Sun Wei takes a look.

It's a reproduction of the classic drama of David Wood on the Chinese stage, realized in the joint efforts by artists from China and Britain.

British dramatist Adam Stafford and Chinese director Mao Ernan have collaborated in directing the play.

The director said while keeping the original flavor, the Chinese version has some differences to expect.

By discussing whether to cut down a 300-year-old oak to give way to a children's playground, the drama tries to promote the young audience's awareness of environmental protection.

Vivid performance plus close interaction with the seats draws the drama closer to the audience members, who can also participate by giving their own vote on the final decision.

Playwright David Wood, who was once called "the National Children's Dramatist" by The Times, is also in Beijing for the show. He recalled what had pushed him into writing such a story.

The See-saw Tree will run from Saturday through New Year's Day 2019. SW CGTN.