Stage all set for popular festival play

For Feng, who joined the theater in 1985 and rose to fame with his performances in movies, TV dramas and theatrical productions, acting on stage is a great way to celebrate Spring Festival.

"We worried about having empty seats since many people travel and celebrate the holiday with families and friends at home. But we were surprised to see that our shows sold out fast," Feng says.

Feng's wife, actress Liang, also performs in the play, in which she plays Wang's neighbor, Chunxiu, a straightforward and warm-hearted woman.

"We've played the roles for 15 years. We have revised them and designed new elements for our roles every time we present them onstage," says Liang, who also appears in movies and TV dramas.

She married Feng in 1993. Liang learned to dance yangge, a popular rural folk dance, for the play.

Besides veteran actors, young actors are also on stage, including Zhu Shaopeng playing the role of Wang Mantang's younger son, as well as 15 newly recruited young performers from Beijing People's Art Theater's training class.