The black comedy "Scholar and Hangman" will be staged in Shenzhen next month.

Directed by young director Guo Xiaonan and produced by Shanghai Drama Art Center, this drama features a story in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

A scholar who fails several times to pass the imperial examination at county level becomes more determined than ever to try to pass the examination. His neighbor, a hangman, is also very interested in his job and often talks about the cruel torture inflicted on prisoners sentenced to death.

However, in 1905, the government suddenly quit imperial examinations and torture. The two people in previously opposing positions began to face the same future. The hangman decided to open a butcher's shop and finally the scholar, who had no other way to make a living, became his partner.

The significance of the comedy is that human performers and puppets will be on stage at the same time. The drama was warmly received by audiences in Beijing and Shanghai. Chinese writer Wang Anyi said the drama was funny and interesting. Film director Huang Shuqin said the play proposed a profound question in social transformation in a humorous way.

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 4, 5

Tickets: 80-380 yuan

Reservations: 11185, 8981-2344

Venue: Shenzhen Auditorium (深圳会堂)

Add: 7 Shangbu Road Central, Futian District (福田区上步中路7号)

Buses: 2, 4, 8, 12, 25, 65, 202, 219

Metro: Ke Xuan Guan Station (Science Museum Station 科学馆站), Exit A

(Zhang Chanwen)