Hong Kong A-list film actress Cecilia Cheung's premiere TV drama Zhou Xuan has drawn wide attention, though shooting is yet to begin on March 28th. 

Cheung has visited Shanghai last weekend to try on her makeup and costumes for the drama. 　　

Reports say Cheung will be paid a stunning 200 thousand yuan for each episode with 40 episodes scheduled for the entire run of the series. 　　

Apparently, her salary makes up a whopping one quarter of the total investment in the project. 　　

With a full schedule, Cheung is expected to be present for 43 days of shooting and has signed an agreement limiting her to a maximum of 13 hours of work each day. 　　

The drama will focus on late Shanghai singer Zhou Xuan's golden years when she was between 16 and 28 years of age. 　

Many Chinese celebrities from the 1930s and 40s will also be portrayed in the drama, such as novelist Eileen Cheung, musician Nie'er and playwright Tian Han, depicting the renowned singer's diverse social circle.

(CRI March 14, 2006)