Zhou Enlai in the Drama Aunt Qiu

Zhou Enlai was an advocate of modern dramas. When he was 16 years old, Zhou Enlai officially joined Nankai New Troupe which was organized and set up under the leadership of Zhang Boling, president of Nankai University and a famous educator, and resolved to explore serious modern dramas. He played a reverse role and participated in the performance of more than ten new modern dramas including the Aunt Qiu. At that time, there wasn't girl students in Nankai University and women and men couldn't perform together so there was no girl to play female roles. Since Zhou Enlai wanted to train himself in all aspects, he accepted the advice of his schoolmates to play a reverse role despite of tradition prejudice. Due to his careful rehearsals and excellent performance, he was admired by all audience and became the best male performer in playing a female role.