Director Lai Shengchuan (2nd L), director Meng Jinghui(1st R) and actor Huang Lei (2nd R) attend a press conference of the first Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 6, 2013. The 11-day drama festival, initiated by director Lai Shengchuan, director Meng Jinghui and actor Huang Lei, will open in Wuzhen ancient town of Zhejiang Province on May. 9 this year.

Stan Lai or Lai Sheng-chuan is a highly influential award-winning US born Taiwan based playwright and theater director, also known for his award-winning feature films, known for Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land. He has been described by the BBC as “probably the best Chinese language playwright and director in the world.” Since 1984, his 30 original plays have continually pioneered the way toward new horizons in modern Chinese theatre. China’s most prominent critic Yu Qiuyu says that Lai’s work “always has the ability to touch the heartstrings of countless audiences.”