A bilingual "A Doll House" is the brainchild of Wu Xiaojiang, director of the China National Experimental Theatre. "A Doll House" was originally written 120 years ago by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibson. It is a study of the meaning of love and more importantly of a woman's liberation. Mr. Wu has taken the story of Nora, a young wife confined by the roles of her bourgeois society and transplanted it to China. In his version, Nora is again a young Norwegian wife, this time married to a wealthy Chinese man. For Mr. Wu, simply setting the play in China was not enough. "'A Doll House' with Chinese characteristics'" as some of the staff describes the play should be more than a Chinese setting and Chinese costumes. After all, this play will be performed at the China National Experimental Theatre. So why not, he reasoned, have the character of Nora use English and the rest of the cast use the Chinese.

Mr. Wu said he has never seen a play in China use this form. "Maybe it's the first time," he adds. At the beginning there some problems with the language barrier. Norwegian actress Agnete Haaland, who plays Nora, does not speak Chinese. None of the Chinese cast speak English. Mr. Wu says he can speak English, but preferred to be interviewed in Chinese. Everyone has a sense of humor about it. "For me, it's a lot of fun," Mr. Wu said, "The language problem is more amusing than problematic." Ms. Haaland has no complaints. She described working with two languages in two words, "absolutely incredible."

Judging from the rehearsal, the cast has figured out how to pull it off. When Nora interacts with the other characters, their timing is so perfect it seems they are understanding each other -- even speaking the same language. Occasionally, Nora will throw out a phrase in Chinese, and her counterparts throw out English phrases. The character of Krogstad played by veteran actor Han Tongsheng provides some comic relief by mixing plenty of Pidgin English into his Chinese. Ms. Haaland has no problems performing a bit of Peking Opera along the tarentella dance.

In the past, most of the audience at the China National Experimental Theatre has been Chinese. Mr. Wu is hoping to change that with their production of "A Doll House". They are hoping that foreigners will be attracted to the familiar play and English speaking main character. The theatre will also project simultaneous translations in both English and Chinese on both sides of the stage. With or without the translations, a foreigner who speaks a little Chinese and is familiar with the story should have no trouble following the play.

Mr. Wu is eagerly anticipating the reactions of the audience. Traditionally, audiences have sympathized with Nora. When she illegally borrows money to save her husband's life and then tries to hide it from his, it is viewed as an act of selfless love. When she questions the nature of her husband's love and her role as wife and mother, it is viewed as a step towards liberation. Mr. Wu expects the Chinese audience, "to sympathize with both." Ms. Haaland agrees. When Helmer discovers how his wife borrowed money, he is furious. "It's about losing face," she said.

Everyone will still be able to identify with Nora. "Her emotions are all universal and are the same all over the world," Mr. Haaland commented. "A Doll House" is to foreign to China. Ms. Haaland explained that women used Nora as a symbol of their struggle for equality and liberation, "1935 was the Year of Nora in China. There were big demonstrations."

When asked if the issues raised in "A Doll House" are still relevant, Mr. Wu replied, "Of course, they are still relevant." He added that his play also reflects troubles with inter-cultural and inter-racial relationships. Mr. Wu noted that it is common to see Western men with Chinese girlfriends or wives, but it is much rarer to see Chinese men with Western girlfriends or wives. Mr. Haaland said Mr. Wu's version, "shows the complexities of a foreign woman with a Chinese man." She further added that "honesty, knowing the limits of society, and female liberation," will always be relevant.

Ms. Haaland and the rest of the cast are sure their production will be a success. "We hope to bring it to Norway for the Ibsen Stage Festival," she said.

"A Doll House" will be performed in the Small Theatre of the China National Experimental Theatre from April 1 to 11. The theater is located in Di'anmen near the Drum Tower at 45A Mao Er Hutong. Phone 64031109 or 64031099 for more information.