"Where your treasure is, that's where your heart lies," goes the saying. So take some time out to find out what yours is.

Take out a piece of paper and pen, then write down the five things that you treasure most in your life.

Now imagine a series of disasters strike you and you have to give up one of the five. Which is the first you give up? And which is the second? Third? Forth? And finally the last?

The decision is a tortuous one to make because all five are so important you are not willing to sacrifice any of them.

If the idea of making such a choice is too daunting, you can visit the Capital Theatre and catch the two-hour play entitled Quiz of Your Secret (Xinling Youxi) to see how five people make their decisions.

Adapted from Bi Shumin's short story My Five Things, this is a play about what to keep and what to give up. The production, by a young cast from Beijing People's Art Theatre, will run until May 15.

A writer, physician and psychologist, Bi's novel is based on the true stories she heard during psychological consulting sessions. "Living with great pressure in fast-developing urban environments, people suffer various psychological troubles such as depression, anxiety and confusion," said Bi.

"I have listened to them pouring out their troubles and try to comfort and help them solve their problems. No matter whether the troubles depicted in the play are those shared by the audience, I hope people can feel a sense of relief after watching it," she said.

The play opens with a vehicle breaking down in the desert at dusk. Its five passengers, all members of a wild adventure club are forced to spend a long night waiting to be rescued. To while away the time, their guide suggests they do the quiz.

A depressive CEO of an IT company, a young white-collar woman who was raped when she was young, the slippery boss of a small private company, a mysterious lesbian who does not reveal her profession and the guide, who is actually a detective, each tell very surprising stories.

When each explains his or her five things to the others, it actually involves the sharing of their innermost secrets.

Unfortunately, director Ren Ming's production undermines the play's potential. He fails to build on the drama of each character in an innovative way, instead he sets them sitting or standing as one after another they reveal their innermost thoughts, feelings and fears.

In terms of acting, Yu Zhen as the slick boss, is more natural and convincing in his role than his co-stars.

What deserves the thumbs up is the innovative set by Shen Ao and lighting by Meng Bin.

The background of the story is introduced by two huge maps of the desert flanking the front of the stage, a withered tree in the centre and a small model vehicle to the front left. Four floor-to-ceiling mirrors at the back of the stage dramatically reflect everything on stage, while cold lighting completes the atmosphere.

(China Daily May 9, 2005)