TV stars Sun Haiying and Lv Liping return to the stage, after 20 years, with lead roles in Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt. The five-act play written in verse and set in the late 19th century, is about an impoverished young man, who is a show-off and adventurer, and is seen as a satire on Norwegians.

"There has been no Peer Gynt on stage in recent years," Sun says. Admitting it is a challenge to play both the young and old Gynt, he says he will present a totally new face of the character to audiences - "one who understands all about love".

The play's director Wang Yansong is confident Sun will tuckle the role with ease. Wang says he is just the Gynt he needs - fearless and untamable, but conquered by love.

"Boys should come to see how Gynt grows up, and men should come to see how Gynt goes bankrupt," Wang adds.

The play will go to 14 other cities, including Shanghai, Chongqing and Shenzhen, after its Beijing debut.

Time: 7:30 pm, Dec 9 to 13

Venue: Poly Theater, Dongsi Shitiao, Chaoyang district, Beijing

Tel: 010-8408-5551, 8408-5506/07/08