The latest play by Beijing People's Art Theater is in its final rehearsal stage and will meet audiences next week. Entitled, "The Collectors", the play centers around a group of antique collectors, and as expected, comes with a full dose of Beijing humor.

"The Collectors" is unmistakably a Beijing People's Art Theater play....but takes it even further.

Set in cramped and crowded hutongs, spoken in the authentic Beijing vernacular, the play evokes an air of Beijing of a bygone era.

Known for its pioneering aesthetics, Beijing People’s Art Theatre has always stayed at the forefront of the art form and social critique. 

Entitled, "The Collectors", the play centers around a group of antique collectors, and as expected, comes with a full dose of Beijing humor.

This latest production centers around a group of antique collectors who grapple with each other over coveted antiques. Spanning over three decades, the play reflects on the rapidly changing modern Chinese society.

"We hope go a step further with theatre verite, and delve deeper into the inner world of the characters. And there's the mythical element, so it's not the typical Beijing style theater that we are used to seeing before," said Ren Ming, director of Beijing People's Art Theater.

The play stars veteran actors Feng Yuanzhen, Yan Rui and also up-and-coming young talents.

For lead actor Feng Yuanzheng, the most challenging part is delivering the lines.  

"I really like the script, it's full of the typical Beijing humor. It's written ten years ago and has been revised several times.  And it's quite difficult to say the lines naturally and make it convincing, you can't overdo it," said Feng Yuanzheng, actor.

"The Collectors" will debut at Capital Theater on August 25th.