She says Amber is full of life and love and believes this is what has made it one of the best Chinese theatrical productions since it premiered at the Hong Kong Arts Festival in March 2005. In the past three years, it has performed to packed audiences not only in China but also Singapore.

In recognition of this success, the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is opening this season with the play. This is the play's third run in Beijing and will end on March 30.

The play revolves around a heart-transplant that leads to a crossing of paths of Gao Yuan (Liu Ye) and Shen Xiaoyou (Yuan Quan). As a guide at a museum of natural history, Shen spends her days in the company of dinosaurs. But her tranquil appearance hides a burning desire for love. Her fiance dies in a car accident and his heart is transplanted into the playboy Gao. She keeps a close eye on Gao after the transplant and finally cannot resist seducing him, so that she can listen to the heart beat of her fiance. The two approach one another with their own hidden agendas. They do not speak from their heart and end up tormenting one another. But eventually, they fall in love.

Liu and Yuan were classmates at the China Central Academy of Drama. Their batch (1996-2000) produced a long list of today's popular stars including Zhang Ziyi.

"Xiaoyou is a role that resides in me. Amber is a play that has guided my growth over the past three years. The lines are rooted in my memory, so although we've not performed the play for a year, I remember almost every word when I stand on stage," says Yuan.

Liu shares her views and is confident that, "You will regret missing this show."

Director Meng is happy to be reuniting with the original cast and crew. "The audience sits close to the stage, making for a good connection between the performers and them. As the love story unfolds, one can feel the chemistry between the actors," he says.