Suzhou in East China’s Jiangsu province is currently playing host to the 13th China Dramatic Arts Festival. Besides various types of traditional Chinese operas being staged, artists are also presenting some modern drama. "Migrant workers" is one of them.

An eight meter tall scaffolding rig on the stage transports the audience into a construction site.

Here, a young couple, both migrant workers, are deeply worried about one thing. They are old enough to have a baby. But they are separated in different dorms. They want to rent a decent room. But, the rent is prohibitively expensive.

A hotel owner stumbles upon their cause and decides to open the hotel only to migrant worker couples at a low price.

Suzhou in East China’s Jiangsu Province is currently playing host to the 13th China Dramatic Arts Festival.

"Most migrant workers live a hard and precarious life in the cities. They live in the city, but it seems that they don’t belong there. It’s so sad," said audience member.

"Migrant workers" is the latest production of the Suzhou Burlesque Troupe. Director Xiong Yuanwei hopes that migrant workers and the problems they are facing will gain more attention from wider society.

"Migrant workers contribute a lot to the development of urbanization. However, they are not getting enough respect. If this play makes people rethink how to treat them, then I’ll be very glad," said Xiong Yuanwei, director.

The play is just one of 35 shows to be staged during the biennial festival. Now in its 13th year, the China Dramatic Arts Festival is one of the highest level national cultural arts festivals in China. The festival will run until November 25th, and tickets range in price from only 30-80 yuan.

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