ADC Theatre
Tue 14 - Sat 18 May
BREAD Theatre and Film

Thunderstorm

Cao Yu, translated by Wang Tso-Liang, A. C. Barnes and Charles Qianzhi Wu

Content warning [May contain spoilers]

"All is submerged in the ruthless well of the cosmos.”

Thirty years after Zhou Puyuan abandoned his secret romance with maid Lu Shiping, their children, who had never met, found themselves entangled in a forbidden love affair within the same family. That night, as a thunderstorm erupted, the wheels of ruthless fate began to turn, and a moment of reckoning approached.

In this ancient Chinese family, there existed someone powerful yet vulnerable, someone trapped by love yet bold. Madness and foolishness coexist. Repressed love and intense hatred intertwined.

Thunderstorm, written by Cao Yu, the "Shakespeare of the East", is one of the most influential tragedies in the history of modern Chinese theatre. This time, our adaptation and production aim to deliver a poem of love and desire, spotlighting new visual imagery and digital installations, as well as creative use of classical Chinese instruments such as pipa and drums.

This production is suitable for ages 16 and over.

Times

Tue 14 May at 7:45pm
Wed 15 May at 7:45pm
Thu 16 May at 7:45pm
Fri 17 May at 7:45pm
Sat 18 May at 7:45pm

Venue

ADC Theatre

Tickets

TUE £10-£13, WED-THU £11.50–£15, FRI–SAT £13.50–£17

abuse (physical, mental, verbal, sexual), self-harm and/or other intentional self-injury, suicide, incest, death and/or dying, pregnancy and/or childbirth, mental illness, flashing images (i.e. a seizure warning)

The ADC Theatre is Britain's oldest University playhouse, today administered and maintained by the University of Cambridge. Plays have been presented on the site since 1855, when the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club (CUADC) was founded, and the society met and performed in the back room of the Hoop Inn, which stood almost exactly where the ADC Theatre stands today.  Today, the ADC Theatre is the centre of University drama in Cambridge, run almost entirely by students with no Faculty involvement. 

Access

When you arrive at the ADC Theatre, there are power assisted doors to the Box Office. In the foyer there is a lift which leads up to the bar and auditorium. The accessible toilet is located on the ground floor across the foyer. Further information can be found here.

If you are booking a wheelchair seat in the ADC auditorium for the first time, please call the Box Office on 01223 300085 or email access@adctheatre.com. We will then alter the permissions of your ADC account so that you can access the wheelchair seats on our website when you book in the future. 

Complimentary tickets are available for full-time carers.

The ADC Theatre and Corpus Playroom is fitted with an infra-red audio system designed to help deaf and hard of hearing patrons. If you are using the system for the first time, please arrive early and seek advice from our Front of House team.

Assistance dogs are welcome in both of our venues. Please call the Box Office or email the above address when booking to ensure you are seated appropriately.

The Park Street car park, which is typically used by customers of the ADC Theatre, is closed until August 2024. We recommend that you park in the Grand Arcade car park (10 minute walk) or the Castle Hill car park (15 minute walk). Parking in City Council car parks is free after 6pm. You can find out more information here.

Address

ADC Theatre
Park Street
Cambridge
CB5 8AS
Get directions

From the producers

6 days to go

Thunderstorm Preview

Hailed as one of the most influential tragedies in the history of modern Chinese theatre, Thunderstorm has undergone countless adaptations from stage to screen throughout its 90-year history, showcasing its enduring allure and depth. In the latest entry to the ADC blog, we underline the most intriguing aspects of 'Thunderstorm', along with exclusive interviews featuring the show's talented cast and crew.

Read more

Tickets

14 May 7:45pm 7:45pm Book now
15 May 7:45pm 7:45pm Book now
16 May 7:45pm 7:45pm Book now
17 May 7:45pm 7:45pm Book now
18 May 7:45pm 7:45pm Book now