Gu Xiulian, director of the Working Committee for Better Care for the Next Generation of China,

declares the open of the Fourth Children's Theater Festival in Beijing on July 11, 2014. 

Shu Yi attends the opening ceremony of the Fourth Children's Theater Festival in Beijing on July 11, 2014,

and watches the play "Magic Boat". 

    Chinese writer Shu Yi, son of famous Chinese novelist and dramatist Laoshe, praised the latest version of children's play "Magic Boat" in Beijing on Friday evening. The play opened the Fourth Children's Theater Festival. 

    "There are many differences including stage setting and the ending part. I think it's making progress. It's better. It's very successful."

    The play tells a story of Wang Xiaoer, who accidentally gets a treasure boat from a celestial being and uses it to save commons civilians from flood. But Wang is betrayed by his greedy friend Zhang Busan who contributes the boat to the emperor. The story is centered on winning back the boat from the emperor. 

    "Magic Boat" was premiered in 1962 and performed again in 1986. 

    Screenplay of "Magic Boat" was written by famous Chinese novelist and dramatist Laoshe. He was one of the most significant figures of 20th century Chinese literature. Laoshe was best known for his novel Rickshaw Boy (Luotuo Xiangzi) and the play Teahouse (Chaguan).

    The festival is organized by China Children's Art Theater and will last till August 28th. Forty four performances presented by 23 performing troupes from both at home and abroad will be shown during the festival.