On the evening of [specific date], the new modern Peking Opera "A Century of Shougang" by the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre premiered grandly at the Chang'an Grand Theatre. This is a chronicle of the vigorous development of Shougang over a century, and a prose poem praising the deep affections of thousands of Shougang's children. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, this new Peking Opera "A Century of Shougang" commemorated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Shougang in a special way, propelling the century-old Shougang into the artistic stage and into the hearts of the public.

"A Century of Shougang" follows the over forty years of reform and development at Shougang, narrating the journey from the implementation of the contract system to the large-scale relocation to Caofeidian and the construction of the new Shougang Park. Through the growth and struggles of two ordinary engineers, Han Qingtong and Lin Yusheng, it showcases the patriotic sentiments and selfless dedication of the Shougang people, reflecting the glorious achievements of China's industrial development and the changes of the times.

A melodious sound of pigeon whistles, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and gongs, marked the beginning of "A Century of Shougang." Set against the backdrop of the developmental changes of the Shougang Group, staged in the residential area of Shougang workers in Shijingshan, and viewed from the perspective of ordinary steelworkers' work and life, the play uses the "small family courtyard" to depict the "large factory and grand strategy." It delves deeply, starting from the small to the large, to uncover and present the life chapters of several generations of Shougang people who dared to face difficulties and were courageous in pioneering. It interprets the Shougang spirit, the "backbone of a great nation," through the art of Beijing opera, creating a masterpiece that is full of life, highlights the people's nature, and promotes the main theme.

The households in the courtyard are like one family, discussing the contract system with the Beijing accent and melody lingering in the air. Both the leading roles and supporting roles are fully engaged, with movements and gestures that are well-paced and controlled. When dismantling and transporting the equipment of the Sai Lan Steel Plant, the acrobatics of the martial artist are awe-inspiring; when depicting the storm surge at the new base, the sleeves of the dan role are swept by the wind. The vocal design incorporates the melody of the song "We Workers Have Strength," giving it a strong sense of the times, reflecting the generations-old Shougang spirit, and making the music of the entire play more grounded. The entire drama offers a fresh and novel experience, staying true to the essence of Peking opera while being innovative.

Abundant meals, massive equipment; the colorful top of the rattan safety helmet, the stubborn gray stains on the front of the furnace worker's overalls; the actor's impassioned determination, the sentimental bewilderment; from stage arrangement to live performance, the more detailed, the more genuine the skill. To present the industrial theme, the stage of "A Century of Shougang" is composed of "three steel plates" and a siheyuan gate tower. The siheyuan gate tower is the main image, serving as the setting for the story, making the plot infinitely close to real life, hoping that the audience sees as if it's people and events around them. The three steel plates serve as screens and ice screens. During the performance, the screens display images of Shougang from different periods, showcasing the glorious years and the changes of the times.

Another round of pigeon whistles sounded, the drums and gongs gradually subsided, and the play was nearing its end. The actors' full commitment earned them sincere applause from the audience. During the curtain call, young party and league members from Shougang Group Co., Ltd. presented flowers to the actors, and the audience surged to the front of the stage, offering prolonged and enthusiastic applause. One audience member, who identified himself as a "post-Shougang person," said he saw his parents and grandparents in the play, witnessing the bloodline of Shougang spirit being passed down. "Thank you, Beijing Peking Opera Theatre, for your performance and for your attention to Shougang. This is also an encouragement for me. We young people must strive to write ourselves into the history of Shougang's next hundred years."

Director Wang Xiaodi stated that the "Shougang Spirit" is crystallized by generations of Shougang people with their lives, which is not only the profound cultural foundation for Shougang's future but also the courage for Shougang to continuously "start again." Therefore, if this play immediately starts with a grand spectacle and neglects the personal testimonies from the "grassroots," it will lack vitality and may make the essence of the "Shougang Spirit" appear less full and vivid, somewhat hollow.

Wei Xuelei, the head of the First Troupe of the Beijing Peking Opera Theater (playing Heidan), said, "Through this performance, from the beginning of its creation and rehearsal, we felt that the spirit of Shougang and the spirit of Peking Opera, which has a century-long history, share commonalities. Both have achieved greater progress through continuous learning and reform. During the rehearsal period, we visited the Three High Furnaces and felt greatly inspired. The spirit of Shougang is worth learning for Peking Opera practitioners and for all Chinese people. It is a source of pride for us Chinese."

Zhai Mo, a renowned young laodan performer from the First Troupe of the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre (portraying He Shufang), said, "In the plot, there is a scene of the last blast furnace iron pouring, which is a historically significant moment. Every time this scene comes to mind, the image of the No. 3 blast furnace appears before my eyes, and tears well up in my eyes. Shougang has undergone tremendous changes, moving from mountains to the sea, from fire to ice, from factories to parks, showcasing its strong vitality in seizing opportunities amidst changes."

Zhang Jianfeng, a renowned young laosheng performer from the First Troupe of the Beijing Jingju Theatre (playing Lin Yusheng), said, "This play tells the story of the daily lives of several generations of Shougang workers. Due to the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Shougang Park has gained worldwide recognition, becoming a monument to Shougang and a symbol of Beijing. This transformative change is worthy of our respect. The modern Peking opera 'Centennial Shougang' is the first industrial-themed Peking opera by the Beijing Jingju Theatre. Many beloved actors have brought engaging and exploratory performances. We welcome everyone to come and support us."

The newly created modern Peking opera "A Century of Shougang" is a collaborative effort between Shougang Group and Beijing Peking Opera Theatre, leveraging their respective strengths in their fields, aiming for mutual advancement, mutual achievement, and win-win cooperation. While contributing to the promotion of the spirit of Shougang's century-long history, the spirit of dedication and professionalism, and the spirit of innovation and development, it also sets a precedent for the integration of culture and tourism, as well as the integration of institutions and enterprises.