Liao admits that “Soft” is the most complex and tough story she has made, compared with the previous installments of the “Pessimism Trilogy” — “Rhinoceros in Love” (1999) and “Amber” (2004).

    “Rhinoceros in Love” centers on a man who is as crazy and stubborn as a rhinoceros and has a crush on a woman who is indifferent to him. The play has four versions, those of 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2008 having been performed around the country 680 times. “Amber,” starring movie heartthrobs Liu Ye and Yuan Quan, is a fable on love set in contemporary China, about a woman’s struggle to pursue her love in a city full of temptations.

    “When I made ‘Rhinoceros’ 12 years ago, I believed in miracles and that as long as we had love, we had everything,” says Meng. “But when I made ‘Amber,’ I began to doubt my previous belief. Now here comes ‘Soft’ and in it, I question what exactly we are. When human beings are busy making money and enjoying sex, do they take the time to reflect on life?”

    Like Meng’s previous productions, which impressed young audiences visually with dazzling stage-design, “Soft” involves two disconnected but intertwining spaces and a 360-degree circular stage. Each actor switches roles between a man and a woman.

    “The play is called ‘Soft,’ but it is more like a sharp lancet, which cuts your body from outside and attacks the soul, reaching your softest spots,” says Liao, who claims herself a pessimist.

    “I believe there are profound truths to be found in doing trivial daily chores. And, because I find the world is not perfect, I want to use theater to express my pessimism,” Liao adds.

    Both Liao and Meng agree that the three actors display the correct amount of wildness and passion in their performances.

    Leading actress Hao, who won the Taiwan Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress for “The Fourth Portrait,” plays the female doctor in the play. She also starred in the 2003 version of the couple’s experimental play, “Rhinoceros in Love.”

    For heartthrob Fan, this is his first performance in a drama. Since the role is about gender confusion, he alternates between appearing in bright red lipstick and having sex with the female doctor.

    Veteran Hong Kong stage actor and comedian Chim plays a fashion designer who is fond of cross-dressing, which adds comic relief to the intense play.