The CNDT was founded on December 25, 2001 when China's two top theaters, the Central Experimental Modern Drama Theater, and Chinese Youth Art Theater, joined.

Director Wu Xiaojiang said The Visit is a bizarre story, delving into a money-oriented society in an era for advanced industrialization.

The story is about Claire, a rich 62-year woman who returns to a small town with US$1 billion. When she became pregnant 45 years earlier Claire was deserted by her lover who eventually married a shop owner. The young girl left home, became a prostitute and later married an aging billionaire. Now she is back and bribing the whole town to take revenge on her former lover.

In the play, written in the 1950s, the playwright shows his criticism of the materialistic Western world. Wu notes the play is a fable which a Westerner has said could also apply to the east as it mirrors the social problems confronting the rapidly developing Asian countries.

Zhao Youliang, president of the theater, said The Visit is expected to make Chinese audiences think, which is the social obligation of artists.

Zhao said having production of world masterpieces will help to promote a range of artistic styles, and encourage more creativity in national playwrights.

Well-known Chinese actors will each play more than one character and will have to portray different personalities, which, as Wu said, is a great challenge to the actors.

For scenery, the designer Yan Long has combined Durrenmatt's own expressionistic paintings, his classical etching and true-life photos together, which highlight the dramatic conflicts.

The Visit was directed by the late Chinese playwright Lan Tianye in 1982. "Never think of where the story takes place," Wu said, adding he hopes the play will help people to see the dark side of human heart.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2002)