A Chinese play Zhong Gu Lou, which premiered at Beijing's Poly Theater on Nov 18, marks the first time the novel, first published in 1985, has been adapted for the stage.

The play was scheduled to be staged for three shows from Nov 18 to 20. However, due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the capital, the two later shows were, unfortunately, canceled.

Like the novel, which not only recounts events that take place in the courtyard throughout the day, the play also paints a touching, and sometimes hilarious, portrait of the people who are in attendance.

"I read the novel many years ago and I felt connected to it because I am also a Beijing native and grew up in a courtyard nearby Di'anmen, which, by bicycle, was about a 10-minute ride away from the Bell and Drum Towers," says Huang Ying, director of the play.

"I still remember that my parents took me to a small restaurant in that area to have lamb skewers when I was a child."