After a golden age in the 1980s and early 1990s, modern Chinese dramas have now entered a period of relative stability.

Some young directors stage avant-garde dramas with stress laid on individual performances in small theatres. The result is that the dramas tend to be obscure.

In other words, only a few works can be enjoyed by audiences of all tastes and consequently many shows are watched by just a small group of people.

Yet people never stop looking forward to watching an entertaining drama that reflects real life. The comedy show "Tuor (Decoy)" exemplified this point by becoming a box office smash and a favorite with audiences last year.

Beijing Zhongbo Futai Culture & Arts Co Ltd has seized on this upswing in popularity to sponsor the production of a series of four comedies concerning food, clothing, shelter and transport - the basic necessities of life.

"Being All Things to All Men," the first of the four which focuses on "shelter," tells the story from the point of view of staff in an estate agency.

Li Lin , the leading role in the play, returns from Japan after 10 years to invest in property in Beijing.

With the slogan "Go to work on the roads of our city; come back to a home in Paris," her houses sell well and only 10 flats are left.

Unfortunately, something goes wrong with some of her flats and the new owners are soon complaining to her and causing trouble.

At the same time, an evaluation team visits to assess her company. This triggers a chain of accidents, one after another.

These wear Li down until she is mentally and physically exhausted. But solace comes in the form of an unexpected love affair with Sun Zhengwu, one of her estate agents.

"We think that buying a flat is not rare in our daily lives and this show will easily remind audiences of their own experience," said Zhao Shuang, with Zhongbo Futai Culture & Arts Co Ltd.

Aiming to be a commercial show, it does not mean the comedy will pander to popular sentiment and slip into clichés of production.

A talented production crew and cast will ensure its artistic quality.

Lin Zhaohua, one of the most respected theatre directors in China, is in charge of direction - the first time he has been involved in a commercial drama.

Twenty years ago, he broke ground in China with his experimental play "Juedui Xinhao (The Warning Signal)," which was performed by the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Since then, Lin has directed a number of controversial works. Some won acclaim and popularity while others failed at the box-office.

But the 66-year-old artist, who still cycles to work, never stops blazing new trails.

"Some people think my style is avant-garde and that's not true. Yes, I made some works that are considered avant-garde, but that's not all I have done," said Lin.

"Establishing a certain style is a lively process. Once you are refined to a style, you become rigid. So I say I have no style."

In his view, every play has its own characteristics and the director should not direct it for the sake of a certain style to suit himself but to suit the nature of the play.

"So I want to try different themes and styles," Lin said.

For the new play, he is not sure about the precise detail of the final production but said the story would be very close to common people.

"With limited time, the script is still not perfect, though it has been revised several times. But some scenes look wonderful," he said.

Lin also appreciated Tian Qinxin's work very much. Tian, who is artistic director of the play, is also a well-known stage director in the country.

The play is their second co-operation and follows the TV serial "Prime Minister Hunchback" in 1999.

"She is one of the best and the brightest directors of the young generation that includes Li Liuyi and Meng Jinghui. Their works all feature individuality and novelty," Lin said.

"A good director must have the courage to blaze new trails. Just inheriting the ways and ideas of the old generation is far from enough. Tian's innovation is well displayed in the play," he said.

Tian values her co-operation with Lin very much and said: "He is very kind and easy-going, just like my father. While working, this man with inward grace could always give me inspiration."

As artistic director, Tian emphasizes that the play is created for the audiences. "A play could not live without audiences," she said.

Cai Ming and Guo Donglin, two popular comedians in soap operas and variety shows, will star in the play.

It is the first time for comedienne Cai to act at a theatre, and she is understandably nervous.

"I feel so much pressure, because I know the audiences and my friends expect me to give an impressive performance," she said.

"I realize that acting on the stage for two hours is very different, and for me is very difficult, from acting a short cut in front of a camera. So I am really not sure about my performance."

But Tian Qinxin is confident that the actress will turn in a fine performance. "She works very hard and has tried her best to overcome all difficulties. The most important thing is that she has stayed enthusiastic throughout the rehearsals and learns from veteran drama actors humbly, though she is already a very popular TV star."

Cai is also worried about the role of Li Lin, which is very different from the roles she performs in soap operas. "Actually, Li is a sophisticated woman while what I played before is usually a funny woman with a simple mind. But it's a challenge, isn't it?"

Before rehearsals started, she was offered the chance to play a young estate agent. "But I decided to play Li, because I wanted to try a variety of roles to make myself an all-round actress and at the same time, change the usual perception of myself which has been fixed in people's minds," she said.

Cai also reveals her admiration for Lin. "He was the main reason why I chose to act in this play. I have respected him for so long. I always thought how lucky it would be for me if I could perform in a play directed by him."

"He is the director who knows what you are lacking, what you need and knows how to inspire you," she said.

Guo, who plays a buyer whose flat develops problems, shared her view and said: "Lin is one of the directors I like best. He tells you how to act as if he is giving you a key and guiding you into the room by yourself instead of taking you into it directly."

(China Daily September 26, 2002)