(Ecns.cn)--Zhao Benshan, 53, may have been born into a poor farmer's family in Northeast China and orphaned at the age of six, but today the sitcom actor, director and successful businessman is widely hailed by audiences across the country.
A frequent performer at the CCTV New Year's Gala, Zhao's rustic appearance and focus on rural life bring a unique element to his performances in TV programs and movies, which has helped him build a commercial empire in the cultural industry.
"Liu Laogen" the trump card
Zhao's empire started in 2002 with the premiere of Liu Laogen, a soap opera starring Zhao as the lead actor. The series quickly stirred a national sensation and made "Liu Laogen" a famous brand. Zhao registered the first Liu Laogen Theater in Shenyang of Liaoning Province the following year.
With business booming, the theater soon opened seven branches in Changchun (Jilin Province)，Harbin (Heilongjiang Province)，Tianjin and Beijing.
The Beijing branch has witnessed a flourishing business since its first day of operation. With prices ranging from 380 to 8,800 yuan ($59-$1,378) for tickets, the shows often sell out rapidly.
According to the Benshan Media Group, the parent company of the theater, Zhao is planning to set up even more branches in southern provinces such as Hunan.
Er ren zhuan, a genre of folk singing and dancing from Northeast China, is the specialty of the Liu Laogen Theater.
The act usually consists of two people, a boy and a girl, who sing and dance using folded fans or red square handkerchiefs which are twirled along during the performance.
Though criticized for it, the er ren zhuan in Zhao's theater features exaggerated and impromptu comic gestures and remarks. This makes it quite different from the traditional version, which usually is limited to strict rules.
Er ren zhuan was once enjoyed by a majority of uneducated rural people in northern China. Yet now more and more educated people have fallen in love with it, thanks to the many er ren zhuan performers on TV. Zhao is just one of the most famous examples.
