The fun is back. The Beijing Comedy Festival 2016 will raise its curtain Thursday at the Beijing Comedy Theater. This year's season will feature 12 productions from both home and abroad throughout 67 days. Russian troupe Teatr Semia'ny'ki, will get things rolling with "The Family". The play won critical acclaim at the Festival d'Avignon in 2005. Shakespearean comedies will also be featured with the National Center for the Performing Arts' A Midsummer Night's Dream.

"The Family"

And the Turin State Theatre will be staging "As You Like It", the culmination of the Bard's comedy heralding a vital shift to tragedy. Chinese homegrown features like "The Imperial Express"also promises new surprises. "The Stage", starring famous comedy performance artist CHEN Peisi, will also return. It's an advocate of the traditional Chinese culture represented by Peking Opera and inspires the audience to reflect on the traditional cultural heritage.