THE world premiere of Snow in Midsummer, a contemporary re-imagining of Guan Hanqing’s Chinese classic drama by the playwright, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, heads for Stratford-upon-Avon later this month.

Framed for a crime she did not commit, a young girl, Dou Yi, calls upon heaven and earth to prove her innocence and is answered by a snowstorm in midsummer and a devastating drought.

Arriving three years later in a town now struggling for survival, a family is drawn into a search for truth, as the ghost of Dou Yi demands revenge on the corrupt system which tried to silence her.

Playing the role of Dou Yi is BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Katie Leung. Her breakout role was Cho Chang in the Harry Potter film series, and she made her on stage debut at The Young Vic Theatre playing Jung Chang in the autobiographical play Wild Swans.

Her other theatre credits include The World of Extreme Happiness (National Theatre), The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures (Hampstead Theatre), and You For Me For You (The Royal Court). Leung also starred in Channel 4’s four-part drama series Run as Nu-Ying, the BBC drama, Father Brown, and she also played the lead role of Mei Ashley in the BBC’s two part drama One Child.

Snow in Midsummer is a haunting story of social injustice, originally from 13th century Yuan dynasty China. It has been translated into a literal translation by Gigi Chang and re-imagined into a contemporary play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig.

This production is the first fruit of the RSC’s ongoing Chinese Classics Translations Project, a cultural exchange bringing Chinese classics to a modern Western audience.

Further casting for Snow in Midsummer includes: Jacqueline Chan (Mother Cai), Andrew Koji (Worker Huang/Policeman), Wendy Kweh (Tianyun), Sarah Lam (Madam Wong), Andrew Leung (Rocket Wu) and Colin Ryan (Handsome Zhang).

Directed by Justin Audibert, Snow in Midsummer will be opening for previews in the Swan Theatre on February 23 and continues to March 25.