he students of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) recently staged the popular drama “I love Peach Blossom” in a different way, one that sheds new light on what it means.

The play, originally written by Chinese screenwriter Zou Jingzhi, plots a love-hate story of three drama actors of the Tang Dynasty. SISU six students from Finalmente, a modern drama club, made it a creative show, although it premiered in 2003 and has been adapted many times.

All of the student actors regarded the play as “something different from those they have participated”.

They started rehearsing since early September, for almost four hours per day. Gong Yi, the director of the play, told them that they should forget the former versions because many feel or performance are based entirely on their own to find.

Pang Rui, the leading role of the play, did a great acting job after a long-term struggle with her personal demons alongside her. She said: “I live in modern times and the story is fantasy, so it is really difficult for me to suppose what my role would do or think many centuries ago. It is even harder to physically express that feel. I had to start imitating the performers who played ancient roles in TV play series.”

Zhou Shen, who acted as Pang’s lover in the play, also makes his own breakthrough. He said: “I used to act hilarious roles, but I played totally differently this time.”

Gou Yunmei, the producer of the play and the manager of properties, schedules and finance said: “I did not think the story plot was special and attractive until I tried rewriting in a different angle.”

Video: Li Pengyu, Lin Andong and Wang Zihe