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

The story sets in the late Qing Dynasty. 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 very interested in his job and often talks about the cruel torture inflicted on prisoners sentenced to death.

However, in 1905, the government suddenly stops imperial examinations and torture and the two people begin to face the same uncertain future.

According to film director Huang Shuqin, the play poses a profound question about social transformation in a humorous way.

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

Tickets: 80-380 yuan

Reservations: 11185

Venue: Shenzhen Auditorium, 7 Shangbu Road Central, Futian District (福田区上步中路7号深圳会堂)

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

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

(Zhang Chanwen)