The highly-anticipated drama "Rhino in Love" is currently playing in the Chinese capital. For a long time it has been the sole focus of director Meng Jinghui but now that the curtain's gone up, he's refocused his attention to a new play. It's called "Amber" and stars young actors Liu Ye and Yuan Quan.

"Amber", which is a co-production from the Hong Kong International Arts Festival and the China National Drama Theatre, is in the early stage of preparations. It is directed by Meng Jinghui whose wife, Liao Yimei, wrote the script. Mainland actors Liu Ye and Yuan Quan who were classmates in the Central Academy of Drama are in the central roles.

The drama will premiere at the Hong Kong International Arts Festival next March, and will then go to Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore.

It is the first ever time for the National Drama Theatre to tour outside the Mainland, and a contract-signing ceremony was held just days ago.

The leading actors Liu Ye and Yuan Quan, who have been busy in recent years doing film and television, were enthusiastic about the play. Yuan fractured her collarbone during rehearsals of the "The Orphan of Zhao Family" two years ago. So she is still excited about being able to return to the stage. " Amber" will be Liu's stage debut. He has not trod the boards since he graduated.

Liu Ye said, "I am always working with films and TV series. I haven't done a stage play in the four years since I graduated. This chance gives me the feeling of returning home, going back to the campus life."

The Hong Kong International Arts Festival, which is held in February and March each year, attracts top artists from around the globe. "Amber" is the only play from the Chinese mainland to be invited to next year's festival, so here's hoping it will add a special glamour to the Festival.

(CCTV.com September 23, 2004)