The theater, near the south entrance to the Old Summer Palace, was founded by Lin Zhonghua, 43, a former editor of People’s Daily. Distressed that this traditional art he loved was fast declining, as people moved to cities and found alternative entertainments, he quit his newspaper job in 2006 and established the playhouse. But he had difficulty recruiting young people interested in learning shadow puppetry. He turned to an acquaintance, Wu Xiaoli, and asked if she knew of any possible recruits. Read more
