Director Meng Jinghui (back row, second from right) poses with thespians for his popular show "Rhinoceros in Love" at a press conference on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Meng announced that a new version of the play will hit the stage on June 2. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

Is it worth building a new theater especially for a stage play? Ask Meng Jinghui, China's best-known avant-garde theatrical director, and his answer would be a resounding yes. After all, that's what he has done for his production, "Rhinoceros in Love."

The phenomenally popular "Rhinoceros in Love" will hit the new Honeycomb Theater in Beijing with a fresh line-up on June 2, the Beijing News quoted director Meng as saying.

A love story that goes beyond the conventional realms of romance, "Rhinoceros in Love" made its debut in Beijing in 1999 and became an instant hit. Three versions of the show were released in the decade that followed, which helped cement its fandom and set a benchmark for small-scale plays.

On Saturday, thespians from each of its versions came together with director Meng and the play's writer Liao Yimei to celebrate the upcoming new rendition.

"We are going to continue to play... and I want to continue my pursuit in theatrical esthetics," Meng declared at the press conference.

The ace director has initiated a five million yuan (US$715,555) renovation project for the Honeycomb Theater, installing high-end equipment for special on-stage effects.

With the name Honeycomb, Meng hopes his actors will be "as busy as a bee." "We are going to stage 1,000 shows in five years," he told the Beijing News.

The director refused to divulge details on the actors featuring in the latest version, other than saying that the new faces would make the play "younger and even more attractive."

(CRI May 12,2008)