Drama highlights anti-graft campaign

Renowned dramatists from Beijing during a forum on Monday air their views on Betrayal, a drama concerning the fight against corruption, in Chengdu, Sichuan province. [Photo by Huang Zhiling/www.chinadaily.com.cn]

Betrayal, a drama about the fight against graft, made its debut in Chengdu, Sichuan province on Thursday and has been staged in the city in Southwest China for five consecutive days.

The play tells the story of how Duan Mingliang, a fictional chairman and general manager of a State-owned mining group, abuses his power to embezzle 500 million yuan ($78 million) in public funds, betraying his early pledge to work for the public good.

Duan, who also betrays his family by having two mistresses, manages to escape to Brazil after being put under investigation but is taken back to China and sentenced to life imprisonment.

"The drama is aimed at showing the fight against corruption in an artistic way and enabling the public to have a deeper understanding of it," said director Yang Xinwei.

Hosted by the Chengdu Associated Theater of Performing Art Co. Ltd, which is also the producer of the drama, a forum was held on Monday, drawing noted dramatists from Beijing to air their views on the play.