Stage play 'Searching for Doolittle' to debut in Quzhou

The stage play "Searching for Doolittle" is scheduled to make its debut on Nov. 15 and 16 in Quzhou, Zhejiang province.

A media meet and greet with the cast and crew of the stage play "Searching for Doolittle" is held in Beijing, Oct. 20. 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on June 24, Hu Heping, executive deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the original drama "Searching for Doolittle" would be one of the cultural and artistic productions released to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The play is adapted from the true event Doolittle Raid rescue in 1942. After U.S. bombers led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle carried out the first air raid on Japan's home islands in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor, they were forced to crash-land in Quzhou and nearby areas in Zhejiang province due to fuel exhaustion. 

The script focuses on kindhearted and humble farmers, patriotic students from the National Southwest Associated University, and airfield construction workers. Despite language barriers and the dangers they faced themselves, they bravely chose to rescue the American pilots.

Told through the perspective of ordinary people, the play aims to spotlight the brilliance of humanity that transcends national boundaries, as well as the kindness, righteousness, and love of peace embodied by the Chinese nation. 

Zhong Hao, one of the directors of the play, said in an interview that he hopes to highlight the bright side of human nature during wartime and to showcase the friendship between the peoples of China and the U.S. through this play.