Stratford-upon-Avon

Swan Theatre
Until 28 March 2013

Audio Described Performances
Tues 11 Dec, 7.30pm
Sat 19 Jan, 1.30pm

Captioned Performance
Wed 27 Feb, 7.30pm 

Public understudy
Fri 7 Dec, 1.30pm

Tickets from £16


Running time:
2 hours, 45 minutes

The cast of The Orphan of Zhao.  Photo by Kwame Lestrade.Nia Gwynne as Dr Cheng Ying's Wife and Graham Turner as Dr Cheng Ying in The Orphan of Zhao.  Photo by Kwame Lestrade.Graham Turner as Dr Cheng Ying and Chris Lew Kum Hoi as the Ghost of the Son.  Photo by Kwame Lestrade.

Blog: In Search of the Orphan

Boris Godunov

A World Elsewhere Exhibition

World Elsewhere Exhibition

In the aftermath of a violent coup, an epic story of self-sacrifice and revenge plays out as a young orphan discovers the shattering truth behind his childhood.  

Sometimes referred to as the Chinese Hamlet and tracing its origins to the 4th century BC, The Orphan of Zhao was the first Chinese play to be translated in the West.

This beautiful new adaptation is written by James Fenton and Directed by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran.

Gregory most recently directed Written on the Heart in and Julius Caesar as part of the World Shakespeare Festival.

James Fenton is an international award-winning poet and playwright. He has worked widely both as political and literary journalist and foreign correspondent.

The RSC Ensemble is generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION

Contact us & FAQs

Ticket Hotline

0844 800 1110
Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm

Email newsletter

Sign up to email updates for the latest RSC news:

RSC Members

Already an RSC Member or Supporter? Sign in here.

Support us

Find out how you can make a difference

Arden Hotel