Classic story of romance returns

Rhinoceros in Love, the only China contemporary drama that has run 1,000 times, returns to town.

Zoo keeper Ma Lu falls crazily in love with his neighbor Ming Ming, but the latter loves someone else. Ma does all he can for her but Ming sacrifices everything for the other guy. Sounds like a cliched love triangle story? Find out why it has been called a "love bible" since its debut in June 1999 and what has attracted some 368,000 people in 36 cities including in Australia to line up for tickets.

For those who are in love or were once in love, this is a play not to be missed. It is also considered the best work by director Meng Jinghui and his playwright wife Liao Yimei. The couple did it when they were not so famous. Now Meng is known as China's best avant-garde theater director and has thousands of fans. His every new play is sold out. Still, Rhinoceros in Love is his best work.

7:30 pm, until Aug 12. Poly Theater, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6506-5343.

- Chen Jie

Cutting-edge artists present unique show

If you are tired of the commercially driven paintings, prints and sculptures at the galleries and auctions, check out the sub-phenomena exhibition at Cafa Art Museum.

The exhibition encompasses about 200 artworks from 93 cutting-edge Chinese artists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Chinese mainland and other parts of the world.

An 80-member jury, comprising museum directors, art critics, curators, veteran artists and art professors from the world over, selected the artists from among some 300 candidates.

The artworks include oil paintings, experimental ink pieces, watercolors, pencil drawings, videos, lithographs, multimedia, sculptures and installations.

Unlike previous exhibitions about works by young artists, mostly students from art academies, this exhibition comprises young artists from different education backgrounds, who portray their lives and their inner feelings in a fast-changing society.

Expected to be held once every two years, the exhibition particularly examines the impact of sub-cultures on the younger generation of Chinese artists.

Viewers may find that many of the works on show are inspired by new trends on the Internet such as micro blog, parody clips on video sharing sites, hot topics discussed in social networking and gaming websites.

9 am-5 pm, until Sept 6. Cafa Art Museum, 8 Huajiadi Nanjie, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6477-1637.

- Zhu Linyong

Veteran actor in play about death

Culled from three Chekhov pieces, the play Requiem delves into the topic of death with stories of a couple of old peasants, a young mother and a wagoner.

While dealing with the philosophical topic, the play creates a poetic frame of mind by frequently using symbolic and expressive images, such as trees in the desert, falling snowflakes and death dressed in a black robe while carrying a lantern. In the solemn mood, the play has also blended in an admirable brand of humor.

The play was written and directed by Hanoch Levin after the master director was afflicted with cancer and knew that his life was coming to an end. Thus, the play is seen as the director's personal introspection into life.

Renowned actor Yosef Karmon in his 80s will again lead the show since his participation in the play's debut in 1999. The actor's rich life experiences are expected to add to the depth of show.

7:30 pm, Aug 13-15. National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 Xichang'an Jie, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.

- Han Bingbin

(China Daily 08/10/2012 page19)