Ge You is one of China's biggest movie stars. The 49-year-old thespian has a Best Actor trophy from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival to his name for his powerful performance in the 1994 Zhang Yimou film To Live. Back then he had top billing above Gong Li.

Like many actors, the veteran of more than 30 movies began his career performing small walk-on roles in theater productions. For more than nine years he slogged it out on stage until he made it to the big screen. Once he did, he became major hit with Chinese audience, because he knew how to make them laugh.

Tonight, for the first time in almost two decades, Ge returns to the stage to play the leading role in a drama.

(China Daily February 6, 2007)