The much-anticipated stage version of Nobel laureate Mo Yan's inaugural drama, Crocodile, premiered at the Suzhou Bay Grand Theatre in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 3.

Crocodile is the first original drama script penned by Mo Yan, which was published in June 2023. Celebrated for his imaginative and humanistic fiction, Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2012.

The plot of Crocodile revolves around the protagonist, Shan Wudan, and a crocodile he received as a gift for his birthday. Through an infinitely growing crocodile, the story delves into the complexity of human nature and explores the theme of "desire".

The three-hour drama, produced by Magnificent Culture Co Ltd and directed by Wang Keran, featured a star-studded cast, including Taiwan movie star Winston Chao playing the role of Shan Wudan, actress Zhang Kaili and veteran Hong Kong actress Sheren Tang.

Addressing the audience at the curtain call, Mo said, "I am very excited. I feel so familiar with many scenes in it, yet so unfamiliar. It shows that the production team have made new adaptions indeed based on my script."

"I think a good play is like a mirror of life. It allows everyone to see ourselves - our purity, as well as weaknesses similar to the characters in the play. Such observations are not just about appreciating art, but also about reflecting on our own lives," he continued.

After watching the show, Yang Zi, a researcher at the Shanghai Art Research Center, noted that it's not common to use a villain as the main focus in Chinese dramas.

"In this play, the crocodile has become a symbol of human desire, serving as a precise instrument to explore the complexity of human nature… There are many comedic moments, but after laughing, people may think about whether the desires in their hearts are also growing and expanding infinitely like a crocodile," said Yang.

After its premiere in Suzhou, Crocodile will tour around China through September, stopping in cities including Nanjing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.