Henrik Isben's classic play about non-conformity and the danger of environmental pollution is about to take on another incarnation on Chinese stages.

An Enemy of the People, written in 1882, is familiar to Chinese audiences. Lin Zhaohua, a fixture of contemporary Chinese theater, is infusing it with star power by casting known entities in the two leading roles.

Gao Yalin, known to much of China as the affable father in a highly popular sitcom, has appeared in four of Lin's previous productions.