China's National Theater Company (CNTC) will mark the 444th birthday of Shakespeare in October with a festival celebrating the works of the famed British Bard.

Starting on Oct. 10, "Ming," a Chinese version of "King Lear," is scheduled to raise the curtain at the festival at the National Center for Performing Arts, said Luo Dajun, the CNTC assistant president, who is also in charge of the gala.

The play depicts a story in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) with a plot parallel to the Shakespeare classic.

"Romeo and Juliet" from the Vilnius City Theater from the Republic of Lithuania will conclude the festival on Nov. 2. It is a work by much-honored director Oskaras Korsunovas that has caused a sensation wherever it has played.

Also in store are several plays from the Republic of Korea, Australia and Kazakhstan.

Started in 2004, the bi-yearly festival is the third of its kind. Luo said patrons could expect a great line-up of outstanding dramas.

"We want the festival to be a platform for different theaters of different countries to share ideas. On our part, we have learned a lot from our overseas counterparts in the previous festivals."

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2008)