A RUSSIAN rendition of “Frog,” based on Chinese writer and Nobel laureate Mo Yan’s novel, premiered at the Pskov Pushkin Drama Theater on April 19 and 20. The premiere was a great success with a full-house audience, strong on-site response and positive comments and praises from both social media users and experts in Oriental studies.

“I would draw attention to the grandiosity and epochal nature of the event,” said Aleksei Rodionov, senior deputy dean of Faculty of Asian and African Studies, St. Petersburg State University.

“Chinese theater has not appeared on the Russian stage for more than 30 years. This is the first attempt, so it is significant for the development of Russian-Chinese cultural ties. Our neighbor China is a huge civilization with a long history and a rich culture. ... I believe that every Russian should see a performance of ‘Frog,’” added Rodionov, who also served as the academic advisor of the play.

“It is a magnificent production. Its deep, dynamically developing plot doesn’t leave your attention for a single minute. The excellent acting made me feel like watching a well-edited movie. I want to watch it again,” said an audience member named Irina Ivanova on social media.

The audience admired the spectacular and detailed costumes, live instrumental accompaniment and, despite the seriousness of the theme, a dynamic, light-hearted presentation and a variety of emotional tone.

“Frog,” published in 2009, centers on the life of a talented midwife in rural China over the span of 50 years. Mo was awarded the Mao Dun prize, one of the most prestigious prizes for Chinese literature in 2011. One year later, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature.(China Daily)