Cantonese drama group DD·Bus will present Cantonese drama “Townsmen” at Futian Cultural Hall on Feb. 18-19.

The drama is set in a modern city where five passers-by find that a fountain in front of a luxury hotel can enchant humans to have supernatural powers although the powers only last for a few minutes. The five people become obsessed with the magic power and trigger a series of funny consequences.

DD·Bus was founded by Chen Qichong who studied performing arts at Shenzhen University. After graduating from the university, Chen worked a few jobs in the drama industry. But facing a flagging Cantonese culture, he and his partner Chu Chu then decided to set up Shenzhen’s first Cantonese drama group DD·Bus in order to popularize Cantonese in the form of drama.

“We have the same feeling that Cantonese culture is disappearing rapidly and we want to do something,” said Chen in an earlier interview with Shenzhen Daily.

DD·Bus’ plays mainly center on ordinary people in Shenzhen. Its first drama “Exploding Toilet” was adapted from a popular Hong Kong drama. It tells the story of three young men who come to Shenzhen pursuing their careers. After the three become roommates and get to know each other, the once-strangers gradually connect and become friends. However, they out of nowhere receive a 1-million-yuan contract. Here comes the climax. Facing this huge amount of money, the three men are forced to choose between friendship, family and money.

Chen and his troupe first planned for their target audience to range from 18 to 40 years old. Surprisingly, 60-year-olds also enjoyed their play. “They related to the play as they had witnessed the development of Shenzhen and some of them empathize with the characters since the performers reminded them of the old days when they first came to Shenzhen with big dreams,” said Chen.

As a commercial and professional drama group of 15 members, DD · Bus doesn’t only focus on Cantonese drama. Their diverse dramas, including business drama “Fund War” and children’s musical “Xiaobanlong · Magic Birthday Party,” are popular and are going to be huge, according to Chen.

Chen believes there is a bright future for Cantonese dramas. “It’s only a matter of time,” said Chen. “We believe we have a bright future even though we are the only one doing it in Shenzhen.”

Time: 8 p.m., Feb. 18-19; Feb. 19 also at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets: 100-180 yuan

Venue: Music Hall, Futian Cultural Hall, 2 Jingtian East Street 1 (景田东一街2号福田区文化馆音乐主题馆)

Metro: Line 2, Jingtian Station (景田站), Exit D