Famous comedian to head laughter project

"I think that getting everybody to laugh at the same time is hard, but not for Chen. He has also trained many young comic talents in the past 10 years. He is the right person for this theater," Li says.

The first young comedian to get a break at the theater is Chen Dayu - the son of Chen Peisi. He will present his directorial debut, Nao Dong Fang, or Wedding Night.

Chen Peisi has been well-known since 1984, when he presented the popular skit Eating Noodles on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala.

Chen quickly became a star and is a regular performer on the annual show, the most-watched TV show in China.

Along with his actor father, Chen Qiang (1918-2012), Chen Peisi made a series of comic movies in the 1990s.

In 2001, he turned to theater, producing original comedies and also adapting Western works.

Now 61, Chen Peisi is one of the few comic stars in China, popular with audiences of all ages.

He hopes to turn Beijing Comedy Theater into a well-known national brand.

"Stage performances are more demanding, especially for a comedian. The most rewarding thing is to see how people are connected and refreshed after watching good comedy," says Chen Peisi.

"When people come into my show, they want to relax. Then, by the time they leave, I see that they are laughing, belly laughs, chuckles or just an occasional guffaw."