Longing for Secular Life, or Si Fan in Chinese, a repertoire of China Experimental Drama Troupe, is being restaged in Beijing.

The play adopts the plot of Longing for Secular Life; Duet Escape, a well-known play of Chinese Kunqu (a kind of traditional Chinese drama which originated in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province), and two stories from Boccaccio's Decameron, telling about a young and beautiful nun fleeing her boring life to enjoy a worldly life.

Characterized by a unique dramatic style and conception, Longing for Secular Life succeeded in combining Chinese and Western plays. The wild imagination, whimsical games and bold revelation of humanities in the play touched the hearts of original audiences. The play has enjoyed great popularity since it premiered in 1993 and won the awards for best performance, direction and acting in '93 National Small Theatre Festival of China.

Longing for Secular Life is directed by original director Meng Jinghui, but the cast has completely changed to young actors and actresses, such as Zhu Yuanyuan, Sun Qiang, Zhou Jie, Ren Chengwei, Li Naiwen, Zhao Ping, and Liao Fan.

Secular Life will be staged at 7:15 PM, April 20-May 31, at Central Experimental Drama Theatre's Small Theatre, 45 Mao'er Hutong, Di'anmenwai Street, Dongcheng District. For tickets call 86-010- 64031099, 64031109. –By Wang Ling
China Correspondent