Renowned CCTV Host Sets Foot in Drama Production

Renowned CCTV (Central China Television) host Zhou Tao held a press conference in Beijing on June 24 to promote her maiden drama work Love Letter.

Zhou has worked in the television industry for decades and has hosted the CCTV Spring Festival Gala for as long as 17 years. She also served as the commentator for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2018.

After many stellar years in CCTV, Zhou left in 2016 and was transferred to Beijing Performance and Arts Group as their chief performance officer. It is the first time that Zhou sets foot in the acting world.

Love Letter is a stage play which tells the story of two students linked through a note in a middle school in Beijing in 1975. They were later separated for 40 years, with one still in their homeland and the other living abroad. They kept communicating and supporting each other through written letters.

Zhou admitted that she was originally touched by the story, which traces the changes in the 40 years since China's reform and opening up and the differences of cultural environment between China and the West. "To perform such a role on stage is demanding for me, and I need to make strenuous efforts," added Zhou.

The drama was produced by Magnificent Culture Co. and directed by famous Russian director Yuri Jeremiah. The play will debut in Beijing in August.

(Source: Women Voice/Translated and edited by Women of China)