Drama Morts Sans sépulture by National Theatre of China

The National Theatre of China’s classic production Morts Sans Spulture, directed by renowned director ZHA Mingzhe, is an adaptation of the eponymous play by French existentialist master Jean-Paul Sartre. Since its premiere in 1997, the production has received widespread acclaim and has continued to spark powerful reactions. This latest revival, featuring an all-new cast, commemorates the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global triumph over fascism in World War II. Set on the eve of the Allied victory, the play follows a group of captured French resistance fighters confronting their ultimate moral crucible amid torture and despair, It offers a profound exploration of the human psyche, grappling with cowardice and courage, baseness and nobility. Through this restaging, the production bridges the classic and the contemporary, posing a resonant question to today’s audiences: Why do we still need Sartre now?