AS the musical Sister Liu (Liu San Jie) goes on stage from Friday to May 4 in Beijing, audiences are expected to savor the charm of the fifth-generation Sister Liu, played by the young Chinese actress Wang Yujia.

The 19-year-old girl made a name for herself with her fabulous performance last year in the outdoor landscape drama Impression -- Sister Liu, directed by Zhang Yimou. The organizer of Impression -- Sister Liu offered her 300,000 yuan (US$36,000) as an annual salary to keep her in the cast. However, Wang Yujia did not accept this attractive offer, instead choosing to participate in the original musical version of Sister Liu.

As the latest image of Sister Liu, Wang will create a whole new face for the old character. Feminine beauty and charm will be the biggest draw. Of course, in addition to a pretty face, Wang is also hard-working, constantly honing her acting skills.

Sister Liu tells the story of a girl living in the mountainous areas of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, who is good at singing folk songs and courageous in fighting against the evils of feudal society. Since Sister Liu made its debut about 40 years ago, the musical has become a household favorite not just in China but also abroad, with a number of global tours.

The previous four generations of actresses to portray the character all gained their fame via the role. Despite differences among performers, they share one thing in common: the perseverance and sincerity of Sister Liu in the story.

Fu Jinhua was the first actress to play Sister Liu in the musical. From Guangxi, where Sister Liu lived, Fu brought her melodious singing and passionate dance movements to Beijing in 1960 and then performed around the nation. This time around, she has once again dedicated herself to the performance by giving spot-on direction to the young actress Wang Yujia.

The second actress to portray Sister Liu was widely known via the silver screen. Huang Wanqiu captivated Chinese moviegoers with her beautiful appearance and elegant demeanor. Though over 60, she still took an active part in promoting this classic piece worldwide.

The third and fourth generations of Sister Liu, Zhou Jin and Wu Simei, will both be seen at Beijing's performance, as they want to support and cheer for the young actress in the classic show.

(Shenzhen Daily April 27, 2005)