The life of Sima Qian, an important historian and scholar during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), will be depicted on stage starting from September 15, according to a press conference held for the historical play Sima Qian at the Beijing People's Art Theatre Tuesday.

The historian who wrote Records of the Grand Historian, a massive work covering more than 2,000 years of Chinese history, Sima was castrated as punishment for defending Li Ling, a general who surrendered during a war against a nomadic people known as the Xiongnu. He spent his remaining years enduring humiliation while also dedicating himself to finish the history first started by his father Sima Tan. 

Written by Xiong Zhaozheng, a famed writer and winner of the Maodun Literature Prize, Xiong's debut stage play is highly anticipated due to his reputation for vividly representing historical figures in his work.

"Sima Qian is a significant figure in history, but young people today know far too little about him. They only know about the book he wrote and that he was castrated," Xiong said at the press conference.

The play also marks the directorial debut of veteran actor Feng Yuanzheng together with co-director Ren Ming, president of the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Also appearing as Sima on stage, Feng is famous for portraying countless well-known figures on the stage and screen.