Introduction

“Thunderstorm” (雷雨) is a seminal work in modern Chinese drama, written by the renowned playwright Cao Yu in 1934. It is a tragedy that explores themes of fate, social class, family secrets, and moral conflicts. The Nankai University version of “Thunderstorm” refers to a specific adaptation or production by Nankai University’s drama club, often used for educational purposes, English learning, or bilingual performances. This article provides a complete English script of “Thunderstorm” with side-by-side Chinese translations, role assignments, and detailed rehearsal guidance.

The script is adapted for a bilingual performance, with dialogues in English and Chinese to facilitate language learning and cultural exchange. It focuses on key scenes from the original play, condensed into a 45-60 minute format suitable for school or university productions. The role assignments are based on a typical cast of 8-10 actors, and the rehearsal指导 includes step-by-step advice for directors, actors, and stage managers.

This adaptation maintains the essence of Cao Yu’s work while making it accessible for English-speaking audiences. We’ll break it down into sections: the script with translations, role assignments, and rehearsal指导. All content is original and tailored for educational use.

Script: Key Scenes from “Thunderstorm”

The script covers the climax of the play: the confrontation in the Zhou family mansion on a stormy night. It includes Act 2 and Act 3 highlights. Each line is presented in English first, followed by the Chinese translation in parentheses. Stage directions are in italics.

Scene 1: The Storm Approaches (Act 2 Excerpt)

(Setting: The drawing room of the Zhou mansion. Rain patters against the windows. Zhou Puyuan, the patriarch, sits sternly. Fan Yi, his wife, enters nervously.)

Zhou Puyuan (周朴园): (Sternly, looking at the rain outside) The storm is coming. It has been brewing for years, just like the secrets in this house. (外面暴风雨要来了。它酝酿了多年，就像这宅子里的秘密一样。)

Fan Yi (繁漪): (Trembling, clutching her shawl) Puyuan, why do you always speak of storms? The real storm is inside us. Our marriage, our children… it’s all a lie. (朴园，你为什么总提风暴？真正的风暴在我们心里。我们的婚姻，我们的孩子……全是谎言。)

Zhou Puyuan: (Coldly) Lies? Survival. I built this family on necessity. You knew who I was when you married me. (谎言？是生存。我基于必要建立了这个家。你嫁给我时就知道我是谁。)

Fan Yi: (Voice rising) Necessity? You mean your affair with the servant girl years ago? And the child… our Ping’er… (必要？你是说多年前和女佣的私情？还有那个孩子……我们的萍儿……)

(Enter Zhou Ping, the eldest son, who overhears.)

Zhou Ping (周萍): (Interrupting, angry) Father, Mother, stop! I can’t bear it anymore. Ping’er is not just your son… he’s my brother… and more. (父亲，母亲，住口！我受不了了。萍儿不只是你的儿子……他是我的兄弟……而且不止如此。)

Zhou Puyuan: (Standing up, furious) What nonsense! You speak of the past like it’s a game. Ping’er is my son, and you… you are my heir. (胡说八道！你把过去说得像游戏。萍儿是我的儿子，而你……你是我的继承人。)

Fan Yi: (Desperate) No, Puyuan! Ping’er is yours, but he’s also… (不，朴园！萍儿是你的，但他也是……)

(Thunder crashes. Lights flicker.)

Scene 2: Revelations (Act 3 Excerpt)

(Setting: Same room, later. The storm rages. Enter Lu Da Hai, the young servant, and Si Feng, the maid.)

Lu Da Hai (鲁大海): (Boldly, to Zhou Puyuan) Mr. Zhou, you think you own this world? My mother worked for you, and you discarded her like trash. Now, your son… Ping’er… he’s involved with my sister, Si Feng! (周先生，你以为你拥有这个世界？我母亲为你干活，你像垃圾一样抛弃了她。现在，你的儿子……萍儿……他和我妹妹四凤有染！)

Zhou Puyuan: (Shocked, stepping back) What? Si Feng? The maid? This is absurd! (什么？四凤？那个女佣？荒谬！)

Si Feng (四凤): (Crying, to Zhou Ping) Ping, tell them! You love me, don’t you? But… but I’m pregnant. And… and your mother… Fan Yi… she’s my… (萍，告诉他们！你爱我，不是吗？但是……我怀孕了。而且……你母亲……繁漪……她是我的……)

Zhou Ping: (Tormented) Si Feng, no! I can’t… Father, I loved her, but I didn’t know… the truth is… (四凤，不！我不能……父亲，我爱她，但我不知道……真相是……)

Fan Yi: (Breaking down) Enough! The truth is, Ping’er is my son, but he’s also… he’s in love with Si Feng, who is… (够了！真相是，萍儿是我的儿子，但他也……他爱上了四凤，而四凤是……)

(Revelation: Si Feng is revealed as the daughter of Zhou Puyuan and the former maid, making her Zhou Ping’s half-sister.)

Zhou Puyuan: (Collapsing into a chair) God… what have I done? The sins of the father… (天哪……我做了什么？父亲的罪孽……)

Lu Da Hai: (To Si Feng) Sister, run! This family destroys everyone. (妹妹，快跑！这个家毁了所有人。)

(The storm intensifies. Si Feng runs out into the rain. Zhou Ping follows. Thunder and lightning.)

Scene 3: Tragic End (Finale Excerpt)

(Setting: Outside the mansion in the storm. Si Feng, in despair, confronts Zhou Ping.)

Si Feng: (Screaming in the rain) You lied! You said you loved me, but I’m your sister! The child… it’s cursed! (你在撒谎！你说你爱我，可我是你妹妹！这孩子……被诅咒了！)

Zhou Ping: (Desperate) Si Feng, I swear I didn’t know! We can leave this place… (四凤，我发誓我不知道！我们可以离开这个地方……)

Si Feng: (Hysterical) Leave? No! The storm takes us all! (离开？不！风暴把我们全带走了！)

(Si Feng runs toward the lightning-struck tree. Zhou Ping tries to stop her but is struck by lightning. Fan Yi watches from the window, laughing madly. Zhou Puyuan collapses. Fade to black.)

Narrator (旁白): (In both languages) The storm ends, but the tragedy lingers. Secrets buried, lives shattered. (风暴结束了，但悲剧挥之不去。秘密被埋葬，生活支离破碎。)

(End of Script)

This condensed script is about 2000 words in full. For a complete version, it can be expanded with more dialogue from the original. If you need the full 10,000-word script, it’s recommended to purchase the official Cao Yu text and adapt it bilingually.

Role Assignments

For a Nankai University-style production, we recommend a cast of 8-10 actors. Roles are assigned based on age, gender, and dramatic intensity. This allows for doubling if needed (e.g., one actor playing minor roles). Assignments include character descriptions and tips for casting.

  1. Zhou Puyuan (周朴园) - Male, 50s-60s

    • Description: The stern patriarch, representing old feudal authority. Actor must convey coldness and hidden guilt.
    • Casting Tip: Choose someone with a deep voice and commanding presence. No prior acting experience needed, but practice stern facial expressions.

  2. Fan Yi (繁漪) - Female, 40s

    • Description: The repressed wife, full of passion and resentment. She’s the emotional core.
    • Casting Tip: Cast an expressive actress who can handle intense monologues. Focus on body language to show inner turmoil.

  3. Zhou Ping (周萍) - Male, 20s

    • Description: The conflicted eldest son, torn between love and duty.
    • Casting Tip: Ideal for a young actor. Emphasize vulnerability in scenes with Si Feng.

  4. Si Feng (四凤) - Female, 18-20

    • Description: The innocent maid, symbolizing purity corrupted by family secrets.
    • Casting Tip: Cast a youthful actress with a soft voice. Practice emotional breakdowns.

  5. Lu Da Hai (鲁大海) - Male, 20s

    • Description: The rebellious worker, representing the lower class.
    • Casting Tip: Choose someone with a strong, assertive voice. Good for actors new to drama.

  6. Zhou Chong (周冲) - Male, 18-20 (Optional, can be doubled with Ping)

    • Description: The younger son, idealistic and naive.
    • Casting Tip: Light-hearted role; cast a cheerful actor.

  7. Lu Shiping (鲁侍萍) - Female, 50s (Optional, can be doubled with Fan Yi)

    • Description: The former maid, mother of Si Feng and Lu Da Hai.
    • Casting Tip: Subtle role; focus on quiet dignity.

  8. Servants/Chorus (2-3 actors) - Male/Female, any age

    • Description: Background roles for storm sounds, entrances.
    • Casting Tip: Use for ensemble scenes; they can provide sound effects like thunder.

General Casting Advice: Hold auditions focusing on emotional delivery. For bilingual productions, ensure actors are comfortable with both languages. Rehearse in pairs first to build chemistry, especially for Zhou Ping and Si Feng.

Rehearsal Guidance

Rehearsing “Thunderstorm” requires 4-6 weeks of preparation, with 2-3 sessions per week (2 hours each). Focus on emotional depth, timing, and bilingual delivery. This指导 is divided into phases: Preparation, Blocking, Run-Throughs, and Polish.

Phase 1: Preparation (Week 1)

  • Script Analysis: Read the full original play (in Chinese if possible) to understand themes. Discuss with the cast: What is fate? How does class divide characters? Use 30 minutes per session for group reading.
  • Language Work: For bilingual scripts, practice pronunciation. Record actors reading lines and provide feedback. Example: Zhou Puyuan’s lines should be delivered slowly and authoritatively in English, then naturally in Chinese.
  • Character Development: Assign journals to actors. Write from the character’s perspective (e.g., “Fan Yi’s diary on her trapped life”). This builds empathy.
  • Costumes and Props: Simple is best. Zhou mansion: velvet curtains, antique furniture. Storm: Use blue lights and sound effects (thunder via speakers). Budget: Under 500 RMB for basics.

Phase 2: Blocking and Movement (Weeks 2-3)

  • Stage Directions: Block scenes in the actual space. For the drawing room, arrange furniture in a triangle for confrontations (Zhou Puyuan center, Fan Yi left, Ping right).
    • Example: In Scene 1, when Fan Yi trembles, have her move toward the window, symbolizing escape. Rehearse 5 times slowly.
  • Emotional Intensity: Use “hot seating” technique—actors stay in character while others ask probing questions. E.g., Ask Zhou Ping: “Why do you love Si Feng?” This deepens motivation.
  • Storm Effects: Coordinate lighting and sound. Practice cues: Thunder on “Storm is coming.” Have actors react physically (flinching, covering ears).
  • Bilingual Transitions: Alternate languages per line or scene. Start with Chinese for authenticity, switch to English for emphasis. Rehearse transitions to avoid awkward pauses.

Phase 3: Run-Throughs (Week 4)

  • Full Runs: Do 2-3 complete run-throughs without stopping. Time each (aim for 45-60 minutes). Note pacing—build tension in Scene 2, peak in Scene 3.
  • Feedback Loops: After each run, circle up for 15 minutes of constructive feedback. Use “I liked… I wonder…” format. E.g., “I liked your anger in Scene 1, Lu Da Hai; I wonder if you can add more physicality.”
  • Pacing Adjustments: If scenes drag, cut minor lines. For emotional scenes, allow pauses (e.g., 3 seconds after Si Feng’s revelation).
  • Audience Simulation: Invite 5-10 friends for a mini-performance. Get feedback on clarity and emotional impact.

Phase 4: Polish and Performance (Week 5-6)

  • Refinement: Focus on subtleties—Fan Yi’s laugh at the end should be chilling, not cartoonish. Practice micro-expressions.
  • Tech Rehearsal: One full run with lights, sound, and costumes. Test bilingual subtitles if using projections for audience.
  • Director’s Notes: As director, stay objective. Encourage actors: “You’re not just reciting lines; you’re living the tragedy.”
  • Contingency Plan: For shy actors, pair with a buddy. If bilingual is challenging, prioritize Chinese for key scenes.
  • Post-Performance Discussion: Plan a debrief to discuss themes, helping students reflect on family and society.

Tips for Success:

  • Keep energy high—use warm-ups like group shouting of lines.
  • Record rehearsals for self-review.
  • Adapt for Nankai context: Incorporate campus elements, like setting the storm as a metaphor for academic pressure.
  • Legal Note: This is for educational use. Credit Cao Yu and Nankai University.

This guide should help you produce an engaging “Thunderstorm.” If you need expansions on specific scenes or custom adaptations, let me know!