A GROUP of amateur players has launched a Shenzhen drama program, Creative Theater, with the premiere of locally produced drama "The Language of a Flower" last week.

Four other plays, including classics "Waiting for Godot," "Into the Woods," and two locally produced dramas, "Cheats" and "Blue Symphony," will be performed over the coming weeks.

Cong Rong, producer of "The Language of a Flower," said the play was very well received when shown at the Children's Palace from Dec. 12 to 14.

"Four-fifths of the seats were occupied," said Cong, who is a scriptwriter of both "Flower" and "Blue Symphony." The latter, performed by the same group of 60 players from "Flower," will be staged in January.

"Flower," which describes the material and spiritual struggles of several young people following their dreams in Shenzhen over 13 years, greatly touched the audience. Many sent congratulatory messages to Cong, saying they had not seen such a great work for a long time.

Cong attributed the success of "Flower" to its relation to "everyday people." "The lives of the heroes and heroines are the epitome of numerous migrants in the city, who came to Shenzhen to seek their fortune but felt at a loss after they accumulated some wealth," said Cong, adding that the subject of "Flower" is a major reason why well-known Beijing-based director Luo Jinlin agreed to direct the play.

The name "The Language of a Flower" refers to heroine Su Wen, who loves a "simple but real flower" rather than the bouquets she is sent by a millionaire every day.

Cong is satisfied with the production of "Flower." It's not easy for her, given that all 60 players come from 60 different companies.

Producing two dramas with 60 amateurs sounds crazy, she said, with China's top drama troupe Beijing People's Art Theater, only producing two plays a year with more than 100 professional players.

Cong said all 60 performers used to be drama players in inland cities, and had a passion for drama. But in Shenzhen, where there is no drama troupe, they have to support themselves with other jobs.

Cong is the vice chairwoman of Shenzhen Dramatists' Association, an association with more than 200 drama lovers who used to be directors, performers, scriptwriters, stage and lighting designers, dressers, as well as makeup artists.

"They joined the company merely out of their passion for drama,"she said."It's a strength as well as a weakness. The strength is that they all love to act but the disadvantage is that the passion may go as easily as it comes. And it's hard to organize everybody with their busy work schedules."

Without a stage, props, or even a microphone, the association has to borrow everything every time they produce a play. Yet they have managed to produce 15 plays or poem recitation parties since 1993.

Cong hopes her plays can help Shenzheners cultivate a habit of watching drama, which, she says, can "purify one's mind." "A city with dramas is a city with dreams, creativity, and vision," she said.

But she acknowledged that many Shenzheners would rather watch TV or spend the night at nightclubs, than watching a play.

"Into the Woods"

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 20-21

Tickets: 100-120 yuan

Venue: Children's Palace

Add: Fuzhong Road 1, Futian District 

Buses: 10, 25, 105, 111, 215

Metro: Shao Nian Gong Station (Children's Palace Station), Exit B1

"Cheats"

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 25-27

Free entrance. Call 2556-3059 for tickets.

Venue: Black Box Theater, Shenzhen University

Add: 3688 Nanhai Thoroughfare, Nanshan District

Buses: 19, 21, 36, 42, 70, 78, 79, 81, 101, 105, 113, 119, 204, 210, 223, 230, 233, 232, 234, 245, 301, 310, 311, 320, 323, 324, 327, 328, 338, 350, 367, 369, 373, 390, 395

"Waiting for Godot"

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 28-29

Free entrance. Call 2556-3059 for tickets.

Venue: Black Box Theater, Shenzhen University

"Blue Symphony"

Time: 8 p.m., Jan. 10-13

Tickets: 100-120 yuan

Venue: Children's Palace

Editor: Wing