Brothers," based on the famous namesake novel, is one of the most awaited theatrical productions this year, probably of any year. The widely read two-volume book by well-known author Yu Hua is the story of two stepbrothers, covering the period from the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) through China's wild early economic reform.

The play, in Chinese without English subtitles, covers the frenetic, surrealistic days of early reform - the period of the second volume of the novel, released in 2006; the first volume set during the "cultural revolution" was released in 2005.

More than one million copies were sold in China, rare in the nation's book market.

The play is about a lawless, frenetic period. Corruption, shady business, and the nouveaux riches are common.

The adapted play has drawn attention from the very beginning. People are curious about who would play the roles of that irritable, shrewd younger brother, "nouveau riche" Li Guangtou (Bald Li); the shy, upright elder brother Song Gang; and the woman beloved by both men, "No. 1 beauty of the town" Lin Hong.

The novel tells their story over four decades. The small town where they live experiences tremendous upheaval, residents' lives take extraordinary turns. Through the twisted love stories of the three main characters, the novel vividly shows the distinctive characteristics of each era.

The novel is an epic of 400,000 characters. To compress one volume into a drama of two hours, playwright Li Rong focuses on the second part in which the newly rich, laid-off workers, corrupt government officials and swindlers live together.

"Today's society is full of 'nouveaux riches' like Li Guangtou who are empty, distorted and fickle," says famed actor Xu Zheng who plays Li.

"I try my best to present a real person, who is 'real' enough to remind the audience of their acquaintances."

According to him, brother Song Gang on the other hand, is a pure person who is always willing to express his thoughts honestly.

Director Xiong Yuanwei describes the play as an "absurd tragedy": "It is impossible for us follow everything in the original work, but we keep the spirit of the novel."

Many highlights of the original are included, such as Li's courtship of Lin, the marriage between Song and Lin, Li's wealth, the beauty pageant of virgins, as well as the changes of the town to a county and eventually a city. Super Girl is even suggested as a possible name for the pageant.

The props and settings complement the chronicle. Distinctive props, such as the "Yongjiu" bicycle, the aluminum lunch box, the humble eyeglasses with plastic frames evoke the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Brothers
Date: through June 10, 7:15pm (closed on Monday)
Venue: Shanghai Drama Arts Theater, 288 Anfu Road
Tickets: 100-280 yuan
Tel: 021-64730123/64734567