Tsuladze adds: "Maybe the only way to save yourself is to ignore what happens outside, and focus on your inner world."

Tsuladze's productions are known for their stark minimalism infused with dark humor. When asked what matters most in theater, he answers: the idea. "A director must first know what he wants to say. He does not expect viewers to leave the theater changed overnight, but he hopes the play may influence them someday, perhaps in some small decision."

Producer Ekaterina Mazmishvili, who has worked with Tsuladze for 25 years, says, "Theater and art have a social responsibility — to remind people not to live blindly."

The troupe performs around the world, and every place offers a different culture and interpretation. Mazmishvili calls it an "air examination".

After the Daliangshan performance, the audience responded with long, enthusiastic applause.

For resident Mao Zeqiang, 30, the strongest impression came from the performers' intense physicality. Like him, some spectators wandered into the theater almost by accident.

Yet, Mao left with one lasting thought: The play seemed somehow connected to the profound and difficult ideas of "existentialism", leaving Mao to reexamine his life.

Bai Shuhao contributed to this story.

China Daily