The faces of many medical staff chafe with bruises for constantly wearing protective gears.[Photo/Xinhua]

The plot shows the profound impact of the epidemic on the city from a social perspective, including the biggest theme that is the trials of life. Actors also pay attention to that very real experience and feeling in the creation, and Lu believes their performance has transcended the spirit conveyed by the original script.

Wang Xiaoying, the chief director of the play, says it is indispensable that this play is rehearsed in Wuhan where our empathy and resonance would render the drama special. The drama does highlight the main line of the noble humanity of medical staff, but a particular emphasis lies in portraying the heroic people in a heroic city.

Wang devoted much of his time talking with actors, digging out their real feelings during the epidemic, and transforming them into the roles they play. He says the show is a saga of the life in Wuhan in a poetic way. With the aid of lighting and stage art, they hope the whole country will identify with these actors for the stories that touch and heal people's souls. It is a kind of distillation of understanding in the last line of the show, "the city remains intact, but we are no longer who we used to be".