Children's play adapted from renowned author's book to open a theatre festival

Children's author Cao Wenxuan's award-winning novel "Goat Do Not Eat Heaven Grass" has recently been adapted for the stage. The new drama will be shown to mark the opening of a children's theatre festival in Beijing.

The book centers on the hard life and adventures of a boy named Ming Zi who left his rural country home to find work in a big city. The book doesn't hide the tragedies and sorrows that children may suffer in life.

The show will formally open the 7th China Children's Theatre Festival on Friday evening.

A rehearsal of Goat Do Not Eat Heaven Grass at the China National Theatre for Children in Beijing took place on July 4, 2017.  [Photo provided to China Plus]

Director Zha Mingzhe says the play centering on a disadvantaged group is quite thought-provoking and doesn't suit children of all ages, but likely targets teens aged 13 to 17.

The China National Theatre for Children has proposed establishing a system of graded children's plays, divided into three age categories: 2-6, 7-12 and 13-17 respectively.